amico travel cot reviews

Complete Guide To The Best Portacot Australia 2023 Reviews

We have always travelled with our children, even when they were just little babies, and quickly discovered how valuable a portable baby cot is. Even when we aren’t travelling, having a baby portacot on hand is very useful.

We found the best travel portacot was perfect for staying with grandparents, visiting friends and even doubling as a playpen or a sleeping space in our living area.

There are a lot of top portacots for sale making the most difficult part working out which one is right for you. You only need to read some portacot reviews to see the range of different portable travel cot options available – all with different features and with various brands claiming to have to best portacot Australia has for sale.

But you needn’t feel overwhelmed by all the baby travel cots Australia has on offer.

Click here to see the best portacot on eBay now!

To help ease the overwhelm, I have put together this best portacot 2023 guide. I not only take you through the features of the best travel cot Australia has, but also help you understand all the portacot jargon so you can work out what features you actually need.

I hope after reading these travel cot reviews you’ll be less overwhelmed and more confident in choosing the perfect cot for you and your baby’s needs.

Best Portacot Australia 2023 Comparison Chart

The best portacots of 2023.

Here’s a handy reference list – see all portacot reviews below!

• Giantex 3in1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot, Travel
• Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot, Big, Standard
• BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light, Small, Travel
• Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot, Small, Travel
• Phil&Teds Traveller Crib, Small, Travel
• Amico Light Travel Cot Portacot, Small, Travel
• Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy, Small, Travel
• Bebecare In & Out Lightweight Travel Cot, Small, Travel
• Love N Care Playland Travel Cot, Small, Travel
• Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed, Small, Travel

Portacot Vs Standard Cot

What is a portacot? A portacot (also referred to as a travel cot or a folding baby cot) is a temporary place for a baby to sleep when a standard cot is not available. Portacots usually have fabric or mesh sides, a removable mattress and can easily be folded up so it can be taken to various places.

The best thing about a portacot is how portable they are. Portacots are lightweight and compact when disassembled making them super easy to transport around so your baby has somewhere safe, comfortable and familiar to sleep no matter where you are.

However these advantages of a portacot are also their disadvantages. Portacots are not as sturdy as a standard cot and so carry some risk (which is why it is vital you purchase a cot that meets the Australian standards, see below for more information).

Usually portacots are much lower to the ground making it more difficult for parents to put baby in as well as take baby out – worth considering when looking to buy portable cot options.

Types of Portacot

Big/standard-sized portacots.

The most commonly used portacot is a large, standard sized portacot. As the name suggests, a standard sized portacot tends to be reasonably bulky and weighs substantially more than a portacot designed specifically as a baby or toddler travel cot.

Standard sized portacots often include additional features such as a bassinet or a change table, often referred to as a 2 in 1 or a 3 in 1 portacot.

A standard sized portacot is better suited for quick trips, where space is not an issue, for example a sleepover at grandma’s, or a short weekend away.

We also used our standard sized portacot as an additional place for our daughter to sleep during the day so she could stay downstairs in the living room with me.

Travel Cots

Travel cots are much more compact and lightweight than a standard sized portacot, making them perfect for road trips or when travelling by plane. A light weight travel cot can weigh as little as 4kg or less!

In order to be compact and light, travel cots don’t usually have additional features such as a change table. They also tend to be smaller so they may not last your child for as long.

What To Consider When Looking For The Best Portacots 2023

Portacots come in many shapes and sizes and with a range of features. Before purchasing a portacot, give consideration to the following features to ensure you purchase the perfect portacot to meet your individual needs.

The main point of a portacot is to be portable, so your baby will have somewhere to sleep wherever you are. To be portable, you want to purchase one of the compact portacot Australia has for sale, so that when folded up the portacot is nice and compact but also big enough for your child to comfortably sleep and move around freely once assembled.

As you can see from the comparison chart above, portacots vary greatly in how much they weigh. If you are simply looking to buy a portacot to take on the odd visit to Grandma’s or a friend’s house, the weight of your portacot may not be as important as it would be should you be looking for a portacot that you can be on the move with regularly.

If you are planning on travelling with your portacot by plane of a road trip, look for a super lightweight portacot.

Quick Assembly, Disassembly & Storage

You don’t want to reach your destination only to spend 30 minutes assembling your portacot while you have a cranky crying baby on your hands. Be sure to look at portacots that are known for being easy to set up as well as pack up.

You can get one of the pop up travel cots Australia has available which takes seconds to assemble. Our travel cot reviews Australia will confirm whether a portacot is easy to assemble.

If you are planning on travelling regularly with your portacot you also want to ensure it doesn’t take up too much room to stores away.

Before purchasing a portacot, double check that it comes with everything you need, or if it doesn’t, how easy it is to purchase whatever it is you require.

Does the portacot come with a mattress or is this an additional purchase? Is the mattress inflatable and is the travel cot with good mattress? Does it come with sheets? Can you use standard cot sheets with the portacot or do you need to purchase specially designed sheets?

Don’t just assume that your portacot will include everything you need.

Colour and Design

Like all baby products, portacots come in a range of colours and designs. You may like to purchase a portacot in your child’s favourite colour or with your child’s favourite characters.

If you want to me more practical, I recommend you purchase a portacot in a neutral colour so it can easily be passed down to younger siblings or sold.

Other Special Features

There are a range of additional features that portacots may include. Features may include a portable changer, a bassinet, sleeping pod / rocker and wheels.

Usually the more features, the heavier the portacot and the less portable it becomes. So be sure these additional features are necessary before you purchase a portacot with all the bells and whistles.

Safety Features To Look For In The Best Portable Cot Australia 2023

The most important thing when purchasing a portacot is that it is safe for your child. A poor quality or cheap travel cot can carry the risk of sleeping accidents such as child suffocation or a child becoming trapped. When it comes to portacot safety consider the following:

• Certified –  All portable cots Australia wide must meet the mandatory Australian Standard AS/NZS 2195. To ensure you are purchasing one of the safest portacots Australia has, make sure the portacot has a product label clearly stating that it has passed and exceeds the Australian standards. For more information check out the Product Safety Australia’s product safety guidelines and standards .
• Durable and sturdy –  The best portacots are high quality and made with well designed materials. Ensure the portacot you purchase has a secure locking mechanism to ensure it won’t collapse as well as being free from any safety hazards such as bumps, sharp edges or protruding parts that could injure your child.
• Good ventilation –  The best portacots provide good ventilation for your child to avoid suffocation. This is why you will note that most portacots are the mesh type as this reduces the risk to your child.
• Perfect fit mattress/sheets –  It is important that you only use the mattress supplied or specifically designed to go with the portacot to ensure that it is well fitted and suited to that particular portacot. The mattress must be firm and fit snugly without any gaps between the mattress and portacot. This ensures the baby is not trapped between these gaps. Never add an additional mattress to the portacot or additional padding.
• Removable accessories –  Check to ensure that all of the accessories, such as bassinet inserts and changing tables can be removed from the portacot when not in use to avoid entanglement and other risks to the child.

Top Portacot Reviews 2023 Australia

Best portable cots australia – large, giantex 3in1 baby foldable travel cot review.

Rating: 4.5

Specifications:

• Type: Big, Travel
• Weight: 10.4 kg
• Wheels: Yes
• Dimensions: 100x70x74.5cm

Our Giantex 3 in 1 portable cot review found this to be a large option that is quick to assemble and makes a great, comfortable place for your baby to sleep away from home.

This 3 in 1 portacot includes a bassinet for newborn babies, a changing table and can be used as a play centre/cot. Once your baby has reached an appropriate size, simply insert the supplied mattress in the lower level of the full size cot. This mattress is rather thin however and you may want more reinforcement for comfort.

Parents will love the wheels with brakes and the detachable side storage bag. The mesh sides are also great for ventilation and to keep an eye on your little one. Baby will love the musical mobile with three soft toys.

At 10.4 kilograms, this cot is a fair weight, but if offers some great features at a good price.

• Bassinet, change table and cot in one!
• Features hanging toys and a music box
• Compact – easy to transport and store
• Thin mattress

>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.

Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot Review

Rating: 4.0

• Type: Big, Standard
• Weight: 10.6 kg
• Dimensions: 120×77.5x77cm

For its ease of use and for one of the safest travel cot Australia options, we recommend the Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot.

This portacot features in our best baby cots Australia due to it’s firm and strong base, supportive sides and quality material. This travel cot baby option is comfortable with airy ventilated sides, a storage pocket, a mattress fitted to the cot and an included carry bag.

Although some childcare portacot review takers have had issues assembling this cot, we had none after following instructions step by step. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, it’s easy to use as the best baby travel cot.

At 10.6kg it’s an extra large commuter cot, but one of the sturdiest and safest travel cot options for parents.

• Mesh walls with pocket – allows great air flow and visibility for parents and storage for baby’s needs
• Includes a mattress that perfectly fits and sits on the sturdy, full support base
• Comes with a carry bag 
• 12 month warranty
• None found so far

>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews on eBay.

Best Travel Cot Australia 2023

Babybjorn travel cot light review.

• Type: Small, Travel
• Weight: 5 kg
• Dimensions: 112x82x64cm

If you are after a small travel portacot, the baby Bjorn portacot is a great option. Weighing a mere 6.12 kg, it is one of the lightest in these reviews.

This Baby Bjorn travel cot is so simple to open and fold away and, due to its design, (with the mattress being on the ground) it has no weight restrictions and so is suitable for children up to 3 years. However parents of newborns may find it challenge placing babies in and getting them out with the mattress being so low.

Assembly is easy with this pop up travel cot with the legs unfolding automatically. There are no loose parts to attach and once the included soft mattress is put in, you have a stable, travel portacot lightweight to use at home or away.

Parents will also love the removable and washable cot textiles on this mini portacot which makes for easy cleaning and maintenance.

I have seen this pop up portacot it for varying prices in our local portacot Melbourne stores, and I recommend looking online to get the Baby Bjorn travel cot light best price. You should be able to find the Baby Bjorn travel cot Australia wide.

It is our top pick for parents who want the best compact travel cot of high quality.

• Includes a soft, comfortable mattress & easy to remove, washable fabric 
• Child friendly material
• Oeko Tex Standard approved
• Portable & lightweight – 6 kg
• Can be expensive but look for good deals on eBay through our link

>> Click here to check the best price and to read more reviews on eBay.

Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot Review

• Weight: 9 kg
• Dimensions: 93x22x37cm

For its ease of use, we recommend the Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot.

This portacot features in our best baby cots Australia reviews due to it’s firm and solid construction, as well as being one of the safest travel cot Australia options. This is a versatile travel cot baby option suitable from birth with the included infant insert. It features comfortable airy ventilated sides, with one side opening up completely so it can be used as a playpen.

The infant insert can be removed quickly to transform it to a toddler cot, and it all folds up compactly into the included carry bag. Super easy to store under the bed!

As with many portacots the mattress on this one is thin and firm, but it does the job as the the best baby travel cot.

At 9kg, this is a large commuter cot, but sturdy and one of the safest travel cot options for newborns.

• Side wall unzips and opens up
• Includes a newborn insert and can be used from birth
• Includes a carry bag 
• Hard, thin mattress

Phil&Teds Traveller Crib Review

Rating: 3.5

• Weight: 13.5 kg
• Dimensions: 117x79x63cm

At 2.72 kg, this phil and teds travel cot weighs less than most newborn babies making it the perfect travel portacot.

Being extremely lightweight and compact this phil & teds portacot fits into most aircrafts overhead storage or can even fit it into your suitcase.

Despite coming in several parts, this phil and teds portacot is very fast and easy to put up. It takes no longer than 5 minutes to set up or pack away and it has instructions attached to the inside of the fabric.

Other features of this portacot include a carry bag, insulated self-inflating mattress with mattress sheet, mesh sides ensuring ventilation and visibility and a zip on one side panel provides side access which makes for a great play pen indoors or outside.

You even have the option to buy a top shade mesh separately making it great for outside use.

We have this travel cot and love it although the included bag did wear away quite easily.

• Featherlight – 3.2 kg
• Thermally insulated mattress – provides children soft & warm base
• Includes a carry bag that’s perfect for travels/trips
• Global safety standards certified
• Mattress rests on the floor
• Not super stable but it is so light and travel friendly so that’s to be expected

Amico Light Travel Cot Portacot Review

• Weight: 6 kg
• Dimensions: 165x70x60cm

This option of the best travel cots Australia offers features a side zipper that makes it easier for parents to place their sleeping kids inside. The ventilated mesh walls allow your child to see what’s happening around them.

Every parent needs a lightweight, high-quality portacot that they can bring along on all their travels. The Amico Light comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. Whether you’re taking off on a family holiday to the other side of the world or bringing your baby to the office for the day, you’ll be able to trust in the safety that this portacot can provide.

With the purchase of this cot, you’ll receive a comfortable mattress and cotton fitted sheet. The mattress and portacot have been certified for child safety, providing you with peace of mind. These details make this one of the best portacot for travel on our list.

• Easy set up & fold up
• Zip for easy access
• Light, compact for travel or transport – approx 5.2 kg
• Includes a carry bag for storage or transport
• Globally safety certified 

Other Best Portable Cot Reviews

Roger armstrong sleep easy review.

• Weight: 8 kg
• Dimensions: 101x74x78cm

If you’re on the lookout for a large travel cot with a bag for the best travel.cot, take a look at the Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy.

Assembled the cot measures 150 cm long by 80 cm wide, and has capacity for a baby under 15kg. When folded, this small portable cot is compact and perfect for use as a baby travel bed Australia, as it’s rated safe for sleeping and weighs about 8kg.

This particular porta cot Australia is comfortable for a portable cot, with a padded mattress and ventilated mesh screens. When used as a playpen, this is one of the baby portacots with a side zip for kids to leave and access the cot as they wish, which makes for fun play.

It’s also a very affordable portable baby bed Australia and great value for a light portacot.

• Soft & padded mattress provides added comfort and safety during sleep or play time
• Suitable for babies up to 15kg
• Foldable and includes carry bag
• Not the easiest to set up – the release buttons for the bars are stiff and sometimes it feels like you really have to force the cot to fold down

Bebecare Zuri Timber Travel Cot Bassinet Review

• Dimensions: 116x84x70.5cm

The next best best travel cot is the Bebecare Zuri Timber Travel Cot with bassinet.

This is a good option for the best portacot for toddler which is also one of the most compact travel cot options at only 8kg. This cot is suitable for kids up to 36 months and 13 kg, and the most comfortable portacot for kids of this age.

A travel cot with bassinet is an extremely flexible travel cot best for babies from birth, with a removable bassinet complete with a removable toy bar.

It’s constructed with solid beechwood for great support and has mesh sides for great visibility and air flow to keep baby comfortable. The portacot mattress is comfortable and among the best travel cot mattress options. It’s foldable and easy to transport

• Light and easy to assemble – great for trips, travels, etc
• Sturdy and compact
• 90 day warranty
• Polyurethane foam mattress

Love N Care Playland Travel Cot Review

• Weight: 9.6 kg
• Dimensions: 115x80x78cm

This little portacot from Love N Care offers a nice mix of stability and portability. It’s quick to assemble and disassemble, and it folds up for easy transport. Whether you need to bring it along on holiday or take it to a relative’s house, transporting this compact and lightweight cot is hassle free.

The materials used in the cot are breathable and comfortable, yet they maintain durability. You can easily spot clean the material using a moist cloth.

The only negative of this portacot is the mattress it comes with. It’s not high quality, and the material can be a bit noisy. It’s fine for a few nights, but it might not be the best choice for regular use. For that reason, this portacot is ideal for short-term travel.

• Simple to use and assemble (once you know how – read the instructions carefully)
• Provides maximum mobility, stability & convenience
• Compact, easy to fold, store, or transport – comes with a carry bag
•  A bit heavy – 9.6 kg

Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed Review

• Weight: 0.4 kg
• Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 7 cm

If your idea of the best lightweight travel cot is one that is super portable, the NARMAY Baby Tent Pop Up Travel bed may be what you’re after. This is among the smallest portacot portable travel cots on our list, and the most affordable.

There isn’t much to this baby portable cot. At just over 400 grams, it easily pops out from the included travel bag to provide a lightweight travel cot with a zippered mesh screen. It is quite roomy inside with plenty of room for a toddler.

You can use this small porta cot on the beach or a camping trip, but note there is no mattress included so refer to the relevant portacot Australian safety standard for appropriate use for sleeping.

However when it comes to cheap baby portable cots, this is probably the best light travel cot you can get for the price if you just want something to protect from sun/bugs.

• Very affordable
• Mesh fabric
• Super lightweight
• No mattress or real support

Looking for other baby products? Read about the best baby travel products and find all our best baby gear recommendations here .

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Charlotte is a proud Melbournian mum of 3 who blogs for a living in between parenting and satiating her travel addition.

The 9 Best Camping Cots, Tested and Reviewed

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Nathan Allen

Camping can be a fun experience, but even we can admit that sleeping on the ground isn’t the most comfortable. Foam pads and air mattresses have been standard sleep tools for campers, but they have drawbacks. Air mattresses can often deflate at night, and you’ll likely have to add a footprint to the bottom of the tent to put a foam pad down. And again—who wants to sleep on the ground? A camping cot is a better option. 

We tested 19 camping cots, and trust us when we say these are not your grandfather’s old-fashioned camping cots. Over the years, we’ve seen camping cot technology improve, becoming lighter and easier to set up. Many of our testers took these camping cots into the wilderness to try them out, considering everything from ease of setup to comfort, weight, size, and durability. 

Our top pick was the L.L.Bean Easy Cot which is super easy to put together—hence the name. It’s comfortable, durable, and big enough for people of varying sizes. The L.L.Bean Easy Cot wasn’t the only camping cot that impressed us. Read on to discover camping cots that are good for backpacking, will fit two people, and are affordable to boot. 

Other Camping Cots We Tested

How we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, l.l.bean easy cot.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Super sturdy

Easy to set up

Large weight capacity

Includes a carrying bag

Can fit in a two-person tent

Requires a lot of storage space

It may be too heavy for some 

When our tester unpacked the L.L.Bean Easy Cot, they looked for instructions but couldn’t find any. And that’s because it’s so easy to set up. All you do is unfold it. To test out this camping cot, our reviewer took it to Joshua Tree and set it up in a two-person tent. It took up a lot less space than an air mattress would and, at 79 inches long, was well equipped to fit someone up to 6 feet, 5 inches tall. 

While sleeping on the cot, our tester found it sturdy and provided enough support to prevent back issues. The rugged polyester fabric could get a tad hot if slept on directly, but it’s easy to clean if needed. You’ll appreciate the soft nonmarring feet which won’t damage the flooring of a cabin or a tent.

Some may find the 21-pound L.L.Bean Easy Cot heavy to carry and bulky in terms of storage, especially if you live in an apartment. However, the cot can come in handy even if you’re not camping, as it’s a great additional bed option for guests, and it won’t deflate like an air mattress in the middle of the night. 

Dimensions: Open: 17 x 30 x 79 inches; Closed: 6 x 7 x 40 inches | Capacity: 330 pounds | Weight: 21 pounds

Best Budget

Coleman trailhead ii cot.

• Ease of Use 4 /5
• Portability 4 /5
• Durability 4 /5

Super affordable

Folds to a compact size

Better suited to car campers

Wide design for more sleeping room

Requires a two-person setup

It could be heavy for some

The Coleman Trailhead II Cot is incredibly affordable, and according to our tester, it’s comfortable too. We like the wide design of this cot as it allows you to stretch out in your sleep. But what makes it even better is that it folds into a nice compact size that will fit inside any car trunk. This cot is best used for car campers, not hikers because it’s slightly heavy. 

While our tester noted that the fabric easily stains, their biggest concern was how it takes two people to set up the cot. The last knob connecting to the main bar requires some extra strength from an additional person. They also warned that the edges of the bars are sharp and could hurt your bare hands if not careful. Despite all that, the Coleman Trailhead II Cot is worth the buy. It is affordable and will fit someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds.

Dimensions: 73 x 35 x 17 inches | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 21.5 pounds

TripSavvy / Joy Kim

Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot

Lightweight, set-up takes seconds

Elevated headrest 

Waterproof fabric

Accessories pocket attached to the cot

Not very wide

It may not be as durable as advertised

The OSAGE RIVER Comfortable and Lightweight Standing Folding Camping Cot takes a few seconds to assemble. You simply remove it from the carrying bag and unfold it. Then press down along the joints, and you’re done. Folding is easy, too—our tester explained, “Just flip it on its side, pull down on the single-leg posts, and fold it like an accordion.”

This cot is lightweight, though it is not ideal for backcountry camping that requires hiking. It comes in multiple colors and is outfitted with a waterproof fabric to withstand wet elements. You’ll enjoy the elevated headrest, and though the brand advertises that you could go without a pillow, our tester suggests you use one. An accessories pocket is attached to the side of the cot and offers three different pockets in one. 

The OSAGE RIVER cot is decently priced, doesn’t take up too much room if you're using a camping tent , and is long enough to fit campers who are 6 feet tall, like our tester. We wish our tester had provided notes about the comfort of this cot because, according to Amazon reviewers, it’s not very wide, and some of the bars cut into the shoulders of those who have slept on it. Even worse, there are many reviews about the cot’s bars breaking within the first year. Although listed as able to withstand 300 pounds, many Amazon reviewers who ranged from 140 to 270 pounds found the cot less durable than desired. 

Dimensions: open: 28 x 75 x 18.5 inches, closed: 5 x 8 x 40 inches | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 12.45 pounds

TripSavvy / Patrick McGowan

Best Budget Backpacking

Fe active folding camping cot.

Attached side pocket

Compact and super lightweight

Includes a carrying bag and additional pouch

Made with water-resistant polyester fabric

Set up takes some time 

If you're new to backpacking , when choosing a camping cot you must ensure that it’s light and compact enough to carry. Our tester did a hiking test with the FE Active Folding Camping Cot and found it a lightweight addition to their backpack. The cot breaks down into a water-resistant fabric piece and aluminum legs in a carrying bag. However, the setup is a bit tricky and will take some time to complete. Our tester had some trouble putting the cot together for the first time. Connecting the base components (legs) to the top components (pole railings) wasn’t easy, though the second time around, it seemed a little better, though not significantly so. 

When fully assembled, the cot is about 6.5 inches off the ground and will fit someone 6 feet tall and up to 250 pounds. While our tester found it sturdy enough and could toss and turn without the cot squeaking or moving much, they were wary to ‘plop down’ on the cot. 

Attached to the cot is an additional pouch for storage. The cot also comes with a small pouch that can be packed with clothes and used as a pillow or to store emergency kit items. Overall, our tester found the cot comfortable to sleep on and a pretty good deal. 

Dimensions: open, 74.5 x 27.5 x 6.5 inches, closed, 18.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches | Capacity: 250 pounds | Weight: 4.6 pounds

Best Backpacking

Helinox camp cot.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Lightweight

Includes a carrying case 

Can fit inside a two-person tent

Too narrow for some

Set up will take some time

The person who tested the Helinox Lite Cot took it on a backpacking trip near Big Bear Lake in California and had rave reviews. They’ve used a blow-up backpacking pad and a foam pad on past backpacking hiking trips and found that the Helinox Lite Cot was far more comfortable than anything they’ve ever experienced. 

The Helinox Lite Cot weighs less than 3 pounds and is so compact that you’ll have no trouble fitting it in your backpack. The assembly instructions are easy to follow, but it will take a few minutes to set up. Be prepared to use some strength to “get the four bars that touch the ground around the two parallel bars that run the length of the cot,” said our tester. 

Our reviewer did admit that this cot is narrow, and while that’s good for a two-person tent and smaller-sized individuals, it could be an issue for others. Side sleepers may not have as much of a problem with the narrowness of the cot. We should also mention that it’s only 73 inches long, meaning anyone over 6 feet will have their feet dangling off. It’s an expensive buy, but if you do a lot of backpacking, it’s a good investment. 

Dimensions: open, 73 x 23.5 x 5 inches, closed, 5 x 21 inches | Capacity: 265 pounds | Weight: 2 pounds, 13 ounces

Best for Beginner Campers

Byer of maine easy cot.

Non-marring legs

Straightforward set-up

Suitable for tall people

No cross beams to dig into the back

Includes a carry bag with printed instructions

A bit bulky 

If you’re a newbie or a first-time camper , make your experience better with the Byer of Maine Easy Cot. Our tester took this cot to a drive-up campsite and slept on it in a six-person tent. The non-marring legs shouldn’t damage tent floors, and the carrying bag has the instructions on it. You don’t really need instructions because it only takes unfolding the legs to set the cot up. 

As far as comfort goes, our tester found this cot to be solid, durable, and quite comfortable. Designed without cross beams, you don’t have to worry about them digging into your back. If you’re a larger person in terms of height and size, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a good choice because it is 6.5 feet long with no end rails, making it more comfortable for taller people. The width—31 inches—is also on the wider side of the cots. 

Priced exceptionally well, this cot may be bulky, but that’s because it’s for car campers first.

Dimensions: 78 x 31 x 18 inches | Capacity: 330 pounds | Weight: 21 pounds

Best Double

Kamp-rite double kwik-cot.

• Portability 3 /5

Designed for two people 

Mesh storage hammock under the cot

Heavy and will take up some storage space

Difficult to level this cot

If you and your partner want to sleep on cots, it’s wise to invest in a double camping cot as they save a little more space than placing two cots side by side in a tent. The Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot was our favorite double cot because the setup is quite easy. At 33 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, which makes sense with two cots in one, but the carrying bag will help to move it from your car to the campsite. 

Our reviewer tested this cot in a four-person tent and noted that it was somewhat of a tight fit. You might have to set it up outside the tent before putting it inside. The cot was sturdy and comfortable, though the tester had a slight issue leveling it to the ground. Keep in mind that there is a bar that separates the double cot in two but add some padding, and it’ll feel like a double bed. Fun fact: A bonus feature underneath the cot is a mesh storage hammock where you can store your belongings off the ground. 

Dimensions: closed, 42 x 11 x 11 inches, open, 85 x 55 x 19 inches | Capacity: 500 pounds | Weight: 33 pounds

TripSavvy / Joy Evans

Best for Camp and Home

Mountain summit gear horizon cot.

Affordable price

It has a side pocket

Felt secure and stable, even on uneven ground

A bit heavy for some

Requires more set-up time than other camping cots on this list

For the price , you get a pretty good camping cot in the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot. According to our tester, this cot was secure, stable, and held up on uneven ground. It also remained in place with any movement they made. The side pocket is a nice touch, allowing you to store items like your phone or a water bottle at your side throughout the night. 

This isn’t the cot you can take on a backpacking trip. It’s got some weight to it, which means it’s better suited for a drive-up campsite. Setting up the cot takes about 5 minutes, and you’ll need to insert two poles into the cloth piece and then connect it to the accordion-style legs. It won’t take much effort, but it’s more set-up time than other car camping cots we’ve featured. 

Dimensions: 75 x 27.55 x 14.5 inches | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 18 pounds

TripSavvy / Jessica Hill

Best Extra-Large

Alps mountaineering camp cot xl.

Extra-long and wide

Higher weight capacity than most

It may require two people to set up and break down

In our opinion, the most significant drawback of camping cots is how many aren’t that wide or long and thus not accessible to all body types. But you don’t have to worry about that with the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Cot XL. It’s like the luxury version of a camping cot—you have so much room to stretch out in terms of length and width. In fact, anyone that’s up to 7 feet tall can sleep on this cot without their feet hanging off. Plus, it has a higher weight capacity of 325 pounds. Just keep in mind that because of its wider and longer size, you need to ensure that it will fit in your tent. 

Setting up the cot is not tricky, but our tester advises that it might be easier with two people—especially at the end of the trip when you need to break it down. To set it up, you unfold the cot and add two end poles into the sleeves. Our tester appreciated the extra space this cot afforded them and found it comfortable as far as cots go. The side pocket and the included carrying bag are bonuses.

The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Cot XL is somewhat heavy, but even with its longer and wider design, it’s lighter than many other cots on this list. You shouldn’t have issues getting it from your car to the campsite. 

Dimensions: open, 86 x 40 x 22 inches, closed ‎49 x 8 x 5 inches | Capacity: 325 pounds | Weight: 19 pounds

Other tents we tested included: Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot , Coleman Airbed Cot , Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe Cot , Helinox Cot One Convertible , Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot . Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot , KingCamp Ultralight Folding Sleeping Cot , Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot , Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot , and Luno Air Mattress 2.0 .

We sent cots to testers around the country and had them take multiple camping trips with the cots. We then asked the testers to rate each cot on a five-point scale for the following attributes: ease of use, portability, size, comfort, durability, and overall value. We then averaged those scores to award each cot an overall score. We tested tents in backyards, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Big Bear Lake, the Santa Monica Mountains, and Alabama’s Sipsey Wilderness. We tested cots backpacking, and car camping. 

TripSavvy / Taysha Murtaugh

What to Look for in a Camping Cot

Camping cots aren’t necessarily lightweight. Of course, those designed for backpacking should be less than 5 pounds, but car campers may find their camping cots heavy. One of our testers described a 21-pound camping cot as weighing about the same as a card table, and while it may be a struggle to carry it from your car to the campsite, the distance shouldn’t be that far, and carrying shouldn’t necessarily require two people. That said, buy a camping cot that you can easily carry, and if you go for something heavier, make sure you have someone to assist you. 

Camping cot legs come in various sizes and feature different materials. Aluminum alloy legs are pretty standard, though some camping cots have tubular carbon steel legs. The top things we’d consider when it comes to legs are how easy they are to assemble and if they can support a weight capacity higher than your weight. We’ve found that attaching the legs of backpacking camping cots to the fabric requires some strength to assemble. Additionally, we suggest you buy a camping cot with legs that have non-marring feet or feet that will not damage your tent or cabin floor. 

There are two dimensions you should consider when shopping for camping cots. The first dimensions are those of the camping cot when it's completely assembled or unfolded. Because cots are measured by inches, you'll need to do some math to figure it out in feet. A camping cot 72 inches or longer will be long enough for someone 6 feet tall or taller. But don't stop there. Take a look at the width of the camping cot, too. If you like to move around, sleep on your stomach or back, or have a wider body, you might want to look for an extra wide camping cot or something over 35 inches. 

Don't forget to look at the dimensions of a camping cot when it's folded down. This will help you determine if you have space in your home to store the camping cot, fit it in your car, or if it's small enough to put in a backpacking backpack. 

Most camping cots have a rectangular fabric pulled tautly between the legs. The fabric is not usually padded, but it should be taut enough to support your hips and back. Another thing to consider is the construction of the camping cot. Look for those that are designed in a way that the bars will not dig into your back or shoulders. While you can consider customer reviews for feedback on comfort, you may just need to buy the cot and test it out around the house for a few days before you take it out on a camping trip. 

TripSavvy / John Somerall

You don’t necessarily need a sleeping pad or a mattress for a camping cot. Our testers did not use such items to test out our cots (most just placed blankets on them), and many raved about their comfort. That said, if you like more padding, do whatever will make your camping experience more enjoyable. 

There doesn’t seem to be any rule prohibiting checking a camping cot when traveling by plane. It’s considered sporting equipment, so it’ll need to be smaller than the maximum linear size of 126 inches and weigh less than 50 pounds. Of course, if you bring a backpacking camping cot, you can easily fit them in a suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack. 

There isn’t much to cleaning and caring for a camping cot. If the legs get dirty, clean them with a rag dampened with water. If you can remove the fabric piece, throw it in the washing machine occasionally. Otherwise, use water and soap to remove stains. It might not hurt to place a blanket or sheet on the camping cot when you sleep on it so that the fabric doesn’t absorb your body oil, sweat, or any dirt or mud on your clothes. 

With an air mattress or a pad, you’ll most likely need a footprint on the ground floor of a tent as you’ll want to prevent such sleeping items from absorbing moisture or chill from the earth. With a camping cot, you don’t need an additional footprint. While a sleeping pad is as easy to set up as a camping cot (and in some cases easier), an air mattress will require more work, and they often deflate during the night, which can cause discomfort in your body and ruin your night of sleep. Sleeping pads and air mattresses offer a plusher sleeping experience, but that’s not to say that camping cots are uncomfortable. Most of our testers say they wished they’d bought camping cots for guests staying in their homes as they were more comfortable than an air mattress or floor pad. 

Author  Alex Temblador  is an outdoor and travel journalist who lives in Texas. In addition to working out–running, lifting, hiking, kayaking, and more–at least five days a week, Alex seeks out adventurous travels all around the world. Throughout her career as an outdoor and travel journalist, she has rappelled in Mexico, kayaked in Puerto Rico and Thailand, skied in Telluride and Montana, surfed in Zihuatanejo, scuba dived in Bonaire, hiked in Peru and Switzerland, and completed a one-day, 100-mile cycling event in 100-degree weather in North Texas.

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9 Best Camping Cots of 2023: Sleep Solutions for Camping & Backpacking

Lightweight, comfy, and highly-packable, these cots make getting a good night's rest under the stars easy, without the noise and feel of an air pad

Graham Hiemstra

Image courtesy Helinox

Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.

Your primary option for outdoor sleeping is no longer a squeaky, uncomfortable air mattress that might deflate during the night, thanks to the modern camping cot . A far cry from the military surplus wood-and-canvas behemoths you may remember from summer camp, these innovative and lightweight air pad alternatives are engineered to help weary outdoor enthusiasts get a good night's sleep at the campsite, in the backcountry, even at home.

But don't be deceived; not all camping cots are created equal. A quick Google search for lightweight cots for camping or the best backpacking cot will deliver a host of impossibly cheap Amazon-only options, and though I haven't personally tested them all, we'd warn against trusting these knockoff designs even if they appear to be best sellers. As they say—if it seems too good to be true, it probably is (and many reviewers will confirm).

That said, I have spent plenty of nights testing a range of camping cots from the top, most reputable brands. And the following 9 camping bed options are ones we can vouch for—each with a unique, proven system of suspension designed to elevate sleepers above uneven ground, offer better back support, and allow more airflow underneath the body for more a comfortable night's sleep outdoors.

Pair one with a down quilt and maybe even a lightweight side table and a set of camping chairs to rethink your entire camping experience altogether. And when it’s the off-season for outdoor camping, these packable cots can turn your living room into a sleeping area with a quick-deploying guest bed. Sure beats a leaky airbed.

Things to Consider When Buying a Camping Cot

This is your number one consideration when purchasing a camping cot. Just like sleeping pads, cots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with other factors that impact comfort, too. If you move around in the night, consider a cot with a larger sleeping surface that will allow you to do so. Also, consider tension—if you've slept on a saggy hotel cot and felt its effects for days afterward, then you already know how important a factor this is.

Whether you're setting up camp right next to the car or hiking/biking/boating to your site, you'll be schlepping all your gear from garage to vehicle to tent and back, which makes a sleeping cot's weight an important factor to consider. More weight doesn't always equal comfort either—there are excellent lightweight camping cots out there.

Ease of Setup & Packability

If a cot is so difficult to setup and dismantle that it leads to frustration, chances are you won't use it as often. Good cots are easy to set up and take down, just like a hammock. Similarly, a cot's packability will affect not only the camp setup experience but also how and where you store it. Packability works in tandem with weight, too; you're more likely to bring a cot on more camping trips if it packs down small and is lightweight, thereby taking up less space in your car or bag and in the garage or closet back at home, too.

Accessories

Cots can be fairly basic, but some brands make a range of accessories to make them even more versatile than they already are. Helinox, for example, has a full range of cot accessories that includes leg extensions, headrests, and insulated covers for camping in a variety of places and conditions.

Field Mag's Top Picks:

Best overall design: helinox cot one convertible.

• Best Budget Cot: Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot

Best Ultralight Cot for Backpacking: Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot

• Best for Tall Campers: Helinox Cot One Convertible Long

Easiest Setup: ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot

Best sleeping surface: helinox cot max convertible, best upgrade for home & camp: snow peak high tension cot.

• Most Maximalist: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
• Best Classic Cot Design: Eureka Camp Cot

Honorable Mention: Disc-o-Bed is a clever, stackable, modular bunkbed design for home use and glamping outfits. Goofy name aside, by many accounts, it's a decent option for more semi-permanent camping situations.

The Best Camping Cots of 2023

Helinox hit the bullseye in designing the Cot One, which expertly balances all the features that make a good camping cot—we could've awarded it the most portable cot, just as well. A unique lever locking leg attachment system makes for easy setup and take-down and also provides enough tension to create the perfect sag-free sleeping surface. As-is, the Cot One elevates campers six inches off the ground, but cot leg extensions can be purchased to elevate your sleeping surface to 18” off the ground (a height better for accessibility as it’s easier to get onto and off). All this, and the thing still weighs in at just 4 lbs 14 oz and packs down into the included carrying bag to fit in a backpack. (For a similar yet lighter cot, check out the 2 lb 12 oz Helinox Lite Cot ).

Packed Dimensions: 21.5 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Very easy setup, portable, sturdy and lightweight Cons: You get what you pay for

Price: $350 (+$99 for Leg Extensions)

Best All Around Deal: Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot

A favorite of many reviewers and by all accounts a reliable and convenient outdoor sleeping solution, the adjustable Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot is constructed with a durable steel frame that can support 300 pounds and people up to 6'6". The folding design isn't exactly compact, nor is it lightweight at 20 pounds, but neither metric really matter if you're camping near your car, in the backyard, or using the cot for house guests. What does matter is comfort and ease of use—and the Pack-Away provides both a solid night sleep and is easy to setup and take down. Plus the removable nightstand table with drink holder is pretty clever.

Packed Dimensions: 21.5 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Easy to unfold, sturdy construction Cons: Lots of hinges for pinching hands

It doesn’t get much more OG than Seattle-based Therm-a-Rest. For decades the Cascade Designs brand has been outfitting record-breaking expeditions and car campers alike with the absolute highest quality sleep solutions beginning with their inflatable mattress pads. The UltraLite Cot is the latest and likely the lightest and smallest packing cot available. Available in Regular or Large sizes, it breaks down easily, can be set up without tools, and features reflective materials to help retain body heat.

At its lightest packable weight without the storage bag, the cot becomes backpacking friendly at around 2 lbs 10 oz (and that’s without leaving support poles at home, which would further lighten the load). While the standard packable weight lands around 3 lbs, this puppy has been our go-to for car camping for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Space-wise, it hardly takes up more room than two one-liter water bottles put together. (For backpacking, the 12 oz NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is hard to beat.)

Packed Dimensions: 16 x 4 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz Weight Capacity: 325 lbs Pros: Very lightweight, comfortable Cons: Setup takes quite a bit of effort

Price: $240 $132

Best Cot for Tall Campers: Helinox Cot One Convertible Long

Sleeping bags come in longer sizes for tall campers, so why not cots? Helinox took everything that makes the Cot One Convertible the perfect camping cot—like pressure-locking legs, a lightweight aluminum frame, and a high-tension sleeping surface—and put an extended platform on top that adds 7.5 inches for a full length of 82.5 inches. The extension means this cot is slightly heavier and packs down a little larger into its included carrying case, but it's still as light and packable as you'll get for a cot of comparable size. Plus, all Helinox products carry a 5-year warranty.

Packed Dimensions: 23 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Lightweight even with long length, portable & durable Cons: Elevated pricetag

Price: $400

ALPS Mountaineering is one of those sleeper brands that doesn't have as much flash but commands high respect among outdoorists for making gear that simply works. The oversized Escalade fits into that category, providing a large, sturdy sleeping surface that sets up in a snap, no assembly required—just take it out of the carrying bag and unfold. Once deployed, an oversized aluminum and steel frame elevates campers well above the hard cold ground. This sleeping cot also includes a side pocket for extra organization inside your tent.

Packed Dimensions: 48 x 9 x 5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 24 lbs Weight Capacity: 325 Pros: Hanging pocket for essentials, easy-use design Cons: Large when packed

Price: $170

To get a positively huge sleeping surface without sacrificing other features like weight, packability, and comfort, you can't beat the Cot Max Convertible by Helinox. Like the Cot One, the Max has a super-supportive, lightweight aluminum frame and legs that lock into place to create a comfy, high-tension sleeping surface. And like the Cot One Long, the Max has an extended, 82.5-inch bed to accommodate tall sleepers. But this model adds even more extending this cot's width out to 29.5 inches, nearly 10 inches more than some of the top sleeping pads for camping. Again, that XL sleeping surface comes with marginal increases in weight and packed size, but big gains in comfort.

Packed Dimensions: 22.5 x 7 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Lightweight and packable, XL sleeping surface Cons: Premium price

Price: $480

This deluxe, minimalist cot from Japanese outdoor retailer Snow Peak hits all the right beats style-wise, and in terms of practicality; who says camp furniture has to look like camp furniture anyways? With durable but comfortable polyester 600D for the fabric and a collapsible stainless steel frame, the aluminum legs use innovative design to create tension where weight is placed heaviest on the fabric, ensuring maximum support and zero sagging. Best for camping at-home or glamping situations.

Packed Dimensions: 49 x 11 x 7.8 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 13.2 lbs Weight Capacity: 14 lbs 14 oz Pros: Aesthetic design, comfortable, includes storage bag Cons: Expensive, still large when packed down

Price: $460

Best Maximalist Foldable Cot: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

This REI brand folding camping cot goes above and beyond in including features like a padded, water-resistant polyester fabric sleeping surface and a back that raises and lowers like a poolside lounge chair, making it a cozy option for campers who want or need extra comfort features for a good night's rest. Basically a folding bed, this option has extra-wide feet too, which helps with stability on a range of surfaces. The downside to all this is that it weighs 20 pounds and folds rather than packs down, so we'd reserve this cot for car camping and sleepovers only.

Packed Dimensions: 33 x 32 x 8.5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 20 lbs Weight Capacity: 300 lbs Pros: Comfort first, large sleeping area, very adjustable Cons: Heavy, overbuilt, more components to fail in time

Price: $199

Best Classic Camping Cot: Eureka Camp Cot

Trusted by everyone from alpinists to families, Eureka has been helping people discover the outdoors since the 1800s. While best known for their camping tents, their wide range of other camping gear is equally reliable. Their camp cot is great for weekend getaways and overnight camping, setting up without hassle in just a minute. The heavy-duty fabric includes a faux leather headrest for increased comfort, and the strengthened steel frame supports up to 300 pounds. There are cheaper camping cots out there—the Coleman Trailhead II cot is roughly $50—but they're heavy, bulky, and can even damage your tent.

Packed Dimensions: 37.5 x 5.5 x 5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 14.8 lbs Weight Capacity: 300 lbs Pros: Compact, included carrying bag Cons: Feet may damage tent floor

Price: $150

Camping Cot FAQs:

Are cots good for camping.

Yes. Now if you’re wondering, what is the point of a camping cot? The answer is three-fold: A quality camping cot provides superior support over an air mattress (or the hard ground), elevates you off the ground to provide better insulation and keep creepy crawlies at bay, and supports your body after a long day in the outdoors in a familiar manner that allows for a better night sleep. In the summer, air circulation under the cot also helps cool you during the night.

Does a camp cot need a mattress?

Generally, no. A quality camping cot, like those listed above, are all designed to provide support and comfort all night long. That said, if you’re particularly sensitive or just like a plush sleeping situation, pairing a camp cot with a thin Z Lite foam pad or even memory foam mattress (if maximalist car camping) will go a long way. If not using a sleeping bag, I suggest using a thin top sheet as body barrier between you and the cot—especially useful for warm weather camping.

Do you need a sleeping bag for a camping cot?

This is up to you—personally, I like to use a quality camping quilt or outdoor blanket instead of a sleeping bag. The beauty of camping cot is that it’s more similar to your bed at home, so sleeping in a restrictive mummy bag doesn’t make sense. When car camping, I like to lay on a top sheet on top of the cot, and use a thin wool blanket or camp quilt, and a generously sized pillow. It’s the best sleep you’ll ever have outdoors. Trust me.

Read our guide to camping chairs to complete your base camp setup.

Published 06-06-2019

Updated 07-17-2023

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• Join CHOICE

Two-thirds of portacots tested by CHOICE fail safety standards

Our testing reveals portable cots from brands including kmart, love n care, target and 4baby pose safety risks for babies. .

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE .

Need to know

• 18 out of 27 currently available portable cots reviewed by our experts failed to meet key safety standards 
• Most of the safety failures relate to soft or poorly fitting mattresses, which can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death
• CHOICE is calling on the government to strengthen our product safety laws so products like this don't make it to the shelves

A portable cot (also known as a travel cot or portacot) is a handy item to have in the first few years of your child's life. It's great for holidays and sleepovers, and a convenient option if you want a second, collapsible cot at the grandparents' or another carer's house. 

But CHOICE experts recommend taking great caution when you're buying this product, as many popular brands pose serious safety risks to babies. 

In our lab tests, two-thirds of these products failed key safety requirements Kim Gilmour, CHOICE testing expert

"In our expert labs, we regularly test a selection of portable cots currently available on the Australian market," says CHOICE testing expert Kim Gilmour . 

"In our lab tests, two-thirds of these products failed key safety requirements, which is a really disappointing result. Unfortunately, this is something we are used to seeing with this particular baby product."

"We assess all models in our labs against the most current Australian safety standard for portable cots. But there are still many models failing to even meet the minimum mandatory requirements, such as mattress firmness."

On this page:

Portacot safety issues

The portable cots that failed our key safety tests, responses from manufacturers, tips for buying a portacot and how to use it safely.

"Several portable cots received performance scores as low as 20% simply because they had so many failures," says Kim. 

In fact, 18 of the 27 models in our current review failed to pass CHOICE's key safety requirements – that's two-thirds, a worryingly high proportion.

It's important that you not only buy a safe portacot, but that you also use it safely.

Products that failed did so for a number of reasons, including major head and limb entrapment risks and suffocation risks. 

Less serious hazards include finger entrapment risks, or the possibility a child may be able to open a zipper or combination of zippers and get out of the cot.

"Most of the safety failures we see relate to the portacot mattress either being not firm enough or not fitting snugly inside the portacot base," says Kim.

"Soft or poorly fitting mattresses can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death. We also see problematic cot designs that have 'puffy' covers that can also cause a risk.

Soft or poorly fitting mattresses can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death Kim Gilmour, CHOICE baby and kids expert

"The good news is that although we haven't been able to recommend very many portable cots in the past, our latest review has revealed a few more products that do pass our safety tests, and which we can recommend to parents. Others have only minor safety issues.

"However, when choosing a portacot for your baby, you want to make sure you're making the safest choice possible, so we strongly recommend checking our reviews before you buy. You can also view a comprehensive list of all children's products that have failed our safety tests in the past on the CHOICE website.

"And if you've already purchased one of these unsafe cots, CHOICE recommends you return it to the retailer or manufacturer and ask for a full refund. You should note however that they may not oblige unless the cot has been officially recalled."

• 4Baby Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot EA12117 ($99)
• 4Baby Liteway Travel Cot EA11816 ($129)
• 4Baby Vacation Portacot EA12116 ($59)
• Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot ($399)
• Babyhood Uno 2 in 1 Portacot ($449)
• Chicco Lullaby Easy Portacot   ($500)
• Childcare Ariel 4 in 1 074300-411 ($199)
• Kmart Anko 3-In-1 Portacot 43-139-804 ($99)
• Love N Care 3 in 1 sleep n go HK 993G ($230)
• Love N Care Playland Travel Cot HK 999 ($150)
• Roger Armstrong 8 In 1 Portacot RA2232 ($250)
• Star Kidz Amico Super Light Travel Cot ($249)
• Star Kidz Vivo Super Light Travel Cot ($399)
• Target Adventure V2 3 in 1 Portacot BRT022A1 (2022 model) ($99) 
• Target Cleo Vogue Portacot 6702 7552 ($129)
• Target Holiday Portacot BRT023A ($59)
• Vee Bee Amado Travel & Play Cot N9560 ($199)
• Vee Bee The Sierra N9338 ($249).

Our full portable cot reviews include information on why these models failed safety tests (and responses from the manufacturers), plus portable cots that we do recommend as safe options.

In response to our tests, manufacturers from Baby Bunting (4Baby), Kmart, Childcare, Love N Care and Star Kidz disagreed with our results, showing us reports from other third-party labs, indicating that their products pass safety standards. Target also disagreed with our findings. 

CHOICE, which operates its own in-house accredited lab, stands by its results.

4Baby Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot EA12117:

Baby Bunting disagrees with our findings and provided us with test reports from an accredited lab indicating compliance to mandatory and voluntary standards. It says it is confident that the cot conforms to the applicable requirements. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

4Baby Liteway Travel Cot EA11816:

In response to our findings, Baby Bunting provided us with a February 2021 lab report which indicates it complies to all requirements. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

4Baby Vacation Portacot EA12116:

Baby Bunting disagrees with our findings and provided us with a test report from an accredited lab indicating compliance to mandatory and voluntary standards. It says it is confident that the cot conforms to the applicable requirements. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

Childcare Ariel 4 in 1 074300-411:

CNP Brands disagrees with our findings and provided us with test reports from an accredited lab indicating compliance to mandatory and voluntary standards. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

Love N Care 3 in 1 sleep n go HK 993G:

Love n Care disagrees with our findings and provided us with test reports from an accredited lab indicating compliance to mandatory and voluntary standards. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

Star Kidz Vivo Super Light Travel Cot:

In response to our findings, the manufacturer has provided us with a test report from an accredited lab which says the Star Kidz Vivo passes all relevant safety standards. CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

Target Cleo Vogue Portacot 6702 7552:

Target has sent CHOICE an initial response to our findings. 

Target Holiday Portacot BRT023A:

The manufacturer provided the following response to our findings: "The Target Holiday Portacot has been tested by an independent accredited third party laboratory and has passed the full requirements of the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2195:1999 which outlines regulatory requirements for portable folding cots." CHOICE also operates an in-house accredited lab and stands by its results.

"Price or brand is not an indicator of how safe these products are," says Kim. "We find that even some of the leading brands of portacots have issues that pose safety risks for babies. 

"Our advice is to always check our reviews and do some research before you settle on which one to purchase." 

Here are some tips on how to buy and use a portacot safely:

• Travel cots are designed to be used temporarily only – they are not suitable to use as a permanent sleep option. 
• Before you buy, check the government's product safety website to see if there have been any product recalls or safety issues with particular brands or models. 
• Only use the mattress or padded base supplied by the manufacturer – don't use other mattresses, as they can pose a suffocation risk or make the cot too shallow, allowing a child to climb out too easily. 
• The mattress should be firm and snug-fitting all around to avoid trapping the baby's head. 
• Make sure there is breathable mesh material all around where it meets the top of the mattress area.
• Make sure there's nothing sticking out that could snag the baby's clothes or act as a foothold for the baby to climb out. 
• Don't position the cot beside blind cords, power points, windows or other hazards. 
• Never put pillows, cot bumpers or soft toys in the portacot – not only because they're a suffocation risk, but because they can also be used to climb out. 
• Once the baby weighs more than 15kg, or can undo the folding latches, stop using the portacot.

CHOICE's state-of-the-art labs are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to test products to a wide range of standards.

Our children's products lab is NATA-accredited to test products such as prams/strollers, cots, cot mattresses, portable cots, highchairs and dummies. Our NATA accreditation helps ensure that our lab test results are rigorous and trustworthy.

With more than 15 years of experience, our expert testers know the ins and outs of babies and children's products. They've seen all sorts of playpen configurations on the market, and have put each type to the test. 

Our testers also sit on the Australian Standards committees for children's products, making them very well qualified to determine which products are safe and which aren't.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Best travel cot 2023: lightweight cots for travel

Attempting travel with a baby? The best travel cot will make sure you’re suitably armed, and they’re suitably snuggly

The best travel cot? Be honest, it’s something you didn’t even know existed until you became a parent and had to take a trip. Do you have to travel with a bed for your baby? Well, yes, you do, they're just as essential as the best car seats and best suitcases , and luckily there are so many incredible new designs that hitting the road with your littlest is that little bit easier.

We give you the travel cot, the portable crib, and the basket bed … here are all the latest and the best products on the market which allow you to travel light even though you’re now packing an extra person.

How to buy the best travel cot

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

First off, you might be surprised to find out that travel cots aren’t just for travel. If you’re stuck for space at home, regularly splitting time between two places, want a safe place to keep them corralled while you pop off for a second (see above), or like to have a spare for friends’ babies when they pop round for a coffee (the friend, that is, not the baby), a travel cot is a sensible solution.

But when it does come to travel, having your own portable cot means that you needn’t worry about whether that Airbnb has all the necessaries or that hotel webpage is up to date, and it also gives baby a familiar place to sleep, eliminating one more reason for them to get lairy while you’re on the road.

And it’s what you’ll be using it for that’ll mostly dictate the type of travel crib you want. 

Compact foldable cots or bassinets are best for chucking in a suitcase or luggage locker on the plane, while trips by car simply call for something that can fit in the boot. The more lightweight they are, the more you might question the fact that they’re deemed suitably sturdy for a human child, but between rigorous manufacturer testing and great reviews across the board, you can rest assured each of our picks will keep them safe as houses, even if you’re a long way away from yours. 

You might be wondering if travel cots are safe to sleep in? The answer is yes, as long as you buy the right one and your child doesn't sleep in it all the time. Read our guide linked above for more information on travel cot safety.

Finally, for maximum mileage when it comes to the initial spend, look for a model that comes with an included mattress, adjustable levels for rapidly growing babes, and more.

The best travel cots you can buy today:

1. micralite sleep&go travel cot.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Sleep&Go Travel Cot is a well-designed piece of kit that hopes to make travelling with little ones a breeze. It sets itself apart from rivals by being adaptable: it's a travel cot one minute, playpen the next, and can even transform into a newborn co-sleeper. Perhaps best of all, it's able to transform between these functions in seconds thanks to its innovative all-in-one frame.

It lets itself down slightly with the lack of colour options, and the fact that it's not the smallest when folded.

With an RRP of £150, it sits firmly in the upper-mid-range price category, but it's durable materials, solid build, and innovative features mean it more than earns its place at the top of our list.

• Micralite Sleep&Go Travel Cot review

2. BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light

Praise be to Björn Jakobson, granddaddy of all things baby-related — his brainchild BabyBjorn still leads the pack when it comes to travel cots, with this one getting our second spot for its practical, paediatrician-approved design. The foldable travel cot packs down into a neat carry case with padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for easy transportation, and we love how compact it is, not to mention easy to set up, which is a real bonus when there’s unpacking to be done. 

The mattress has been designed in conjunction with paediatric specialists to provide the best support possible, but the only problem is that it’s at floor level, so if you have shorter arms, bear in mind it might take some effort, or the help of a taller family member.  

3. Nuna SENA Aire

The thing about parenthood is that you always have your hands full, and when it comes to travelling with kids, that goes double. So welcome the SENA Aire, a thoughtfully designed travel cot from premium baby gear brand Nuna that can be set-up not only quickly, but with one hand. Its zigzag legs pop-up instantly, and come with padded edges so you cannot trap you finger in a hinge while you’re seeing it up. 

However, the SENA Aire’s main USP is what its name suggests; an advanced air design delivers maximum airflow that will give its inhabitant deeper sleeps. That’s the theory. Elsewhere, the SENA Aire gives the travelling parents everything they need, including a mattress, sheets, an insect net and even cotton sheets. Best of all, it’s all machine washable, and goes neatly into a travel bag.

4. Inovi Cocoon Folding Moses

Here’s one for youngsters taking their first flights. Suitable for the under six months crowd, this simple crib won’t be with you for long, but it’s sure to impress any parent thinking of taking a flight to show-off their new addition. A simple and nice-looking crib that could easily be used at home, the Cocoon is compact and lightweight enough for travel, even complying with international aviation standards (IATA) so it can be taken on a plane as hand luggage, and stowed in overhead locker compartments (minus junior, we hope). 

It also includes a mesh canopy that protects baby from the outside world – including insects, pets and curious passers-by – while being itself constructed atom transparent, breathable mesh panels. The Cocoon is also easy to set-up, with four locking joints on its fold-out base for maximum stability.

5. Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot

Like the BabyBjorn travel cot, this Phil & Teds option is suitable for use from birth to three years, making it a good option if you’re after a longer-term solution. The big difference between the two is that this little number is more suited to long-haul travel, with a weight of just 3.2 kilograms and an ultra-compact design that’s formulated to fit in a suitcase, luggage locker, or even the storage space of your buggy. 

Reviewers found it was a bit awkward to set up, but that it was light, sturdy and comfy enough to make up for it, so we reckon it sounds just fine if you’re setting up camp for a while.  

6. SpaceCot Travel Cot

If the combination of quick setup and sturdiness is the holy grail of travel cots, then call us Indiana Jones, because we seem to have found it in the SpaceCot Travel Cot. The makers say it opens and closes in just three seconds — a big boast, but reviewers vouch for its veracity. 

They found it super easy to set up, and loved the included detachable crib levels and mattress that let it work as a cot up to six months, and a playpen up to 30 months. If you frequently find yourself with your hands too full for faffing around, all signs point to this easy-up cot being a good buy.  

7. LittleLife Arc 2

OK, it’s a tent. Get over it. Kids love camping! Seriously though, the tent-style Arc 2 has a lot going for it, especially if you travel a lot because (and this is a stroke of genius) the Arc 2 packs-up into a small lightweight backpack. A pop-up tent weighing a mere 2.5kg, it uses colour-coded, lightweight aluminium poles and comes with a Velcro-attached foam mattress and washable cotton cover. 

Although it can be used indoors perfectly well, as its design suggests, the Arc 2 can also be used outdoors, and be secured with tent pegs. It works as a bed, a playpen, and just as a place to keep a child out of the sun. If you’re an outdoorsy kind of a family, the Arc 2 is a no-brainer.

8. Pop Up Bassinet Koo-Di

Designed for use in the house or out in the garden, at the beach or for trips somewhere rather sunnier, the Koo-Di Sun and Sleep Travel Bassinet looks to be a versatile option for keeping the smallest member of your group happy, cool, and out of the sun. 

The mesh sides are intended for ventilation and peace of mind, allowing you to check on them as they (hopefully) snooze, while the integrated zip-up mosquito net keeps nibbles at bay, and the blackout blind claims to block 93 percent of all harmful rays. That’s all pretty high tech for a travel cot, making it our best bet for travel abroad and hot summer days at home.  

9. Chicco Lullago Zip Crib

This expandable travel crib gives the option for different depths as they grow, giving it more lasting power than some of our smaller picks, and making it, according to happy reviewers, a great transitional cot. Users loved that it was sturdy and easy to put together, but found it a bit heavy to carry — although, while the travel bag is a bit more cumbersome than its BabyBjorn equivalent, some might appreciate that it looks more like your average minimal tote bag rather than a baby-specific behemoth. 

Overall, it’s agreed that the quality is top-notch and the setup simple, but if you have to travel a long way, you might be better placed going for something like Phil & Ted’s travel cot.  

10. Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot0

Trying to get them off to sleep isn’t the only thing that can prove tricky on the road - there’s also the small matter of changing to attend to. Luckily, some clever clogs at Joie has made a travel cot that doubles up as a changing table. Actually, make that triples up, because it also packs in a soothing rocker with soft toys. And it has wheels! 

With a draught-resistant base and mesh lining for a comfortable sleep, a rocker/bassinet for soothing and naps, and a changing table for you-know-what, reviewers agree this is a great portable option for when you want to streamline your stuff. Just be aware that it’s very large and very heavy, so it’s not the best for small cars and certainly won’t fit in a suitcase, but gosh darn is it versatile.  

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As the Style and Travel Editor at T3, Spencer covers everything from clothes to cars and watches to hotels. Everything that's cool, stylish, and interesting, basically. He's been a part of T3 for over seven years, and in that time covered every industry event known to man, from CES and MWC to the Geneva Motorshow and Baselworld. When he's driving up and down the country in search of the greatest driving roads, he can be found messing around on an electric scooter, playing with luxury watches, or testing the latest fragrances.

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Best travel cots: tried and tested

Whether used at home, at the grandparents' or as a playpen, a travel cot can be a familiar place for your baby to sleep, wherever they are. After rigorous research and testing, we reveal the best travel cots to buy in 2024.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Mar 20, 2024

While you may have dedicated a lot of time to finding the best crib , moses basket or cot bed for your child, we tend to give less thought to which travel cot to buy. But getting the best sleep possible is just as important while you're away from home, so we've put some of the best travel cots on the market through their paces.

While they're mainly used for overnight stays at a grandparent's house, or longer holidays, travel cots can also be used instead of a traditional crib or playpen for both babies and toddlers. They are portable, easy to carry, fit in your car boot and should be fairly lightweight too. Pack your travel cot along with a baby monitor and your little one's best baby blanket and you're good to go.

Our parent tester, Ruth, and her 18-month-old put some of the UK's top-rated travel cots through their paces. We also turned to the Mumsnet forums - home of the UK's largest network of parents - to seek out authentic recommendations and honest reviews of the travel cots they'd used with their own children. Referring to expert review sites for extra information, we collated all the information to bring you our top picks, including the best travel cot deals during this week's Amazon Spring Sale.

Best travel cot deals in the Amazon Spring Sale

£30 OFF Was £170, now £140

Save £15 off RRP! Was £80, now £65

£6 OFF RRP Was £39, now £33

The best travel cots 2024: editor's picks

Joie kubbie Bassinet Travel Cot

Red Kite Travel Cot

Graco FoldLite LX Travel Cot

Joie kubbie™ sleep travel cot.

Lift and lower side panel means baby can be picked up and placed down without hassle

Compact frame that packs down into a travel bag

Mesh panels on all four sides

Padded top rail

Too small to be used as a playpen

Material isn't machine-washable

Price on writing: From £100 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (15kg) | Weight: 8.79kg

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Joie kubbie™ Sleep review

The Joie kubbie™ Sleep is a real steal and a brilliant choice for new parents who want something that covers all bases - that's why we've named it our best travel cot overall for 2024. Versatile in style and cocoon-like in the way it nurtures and grows with newborns, the kubbie™ Sleep also comes with a bassinet that can easily be attached and detached.

A unique feature of the kubbie™ Sleep that our tester was impressed by is that when your baby is in the bassinet, you can tuck the cot close to your bed and adjust the height of the crib so that it acts like a co-sleeper. It's a lovely feature if you're travelling with a tiny baby, it provides extra peace of mind and easy access for changing and breastfeeding .

Great for parents who

Have a newborn

Like the idea of a co-sleeper and want to keep their baby close during the night

Want a cot that can last up to three years old

Read next: The best changing bags Mumsnetters swear by

Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot

Lightweight and folds down compactly into a travel bag

Quick to assemble and fold away

Easy to clean

Mesh sides make it easy to see baby

The mattress is thinner than some other baby travel cot mattresses on the market, such as the Joie kubbie™ Sleep

Doesn't have wheels

Price on writing: £35 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (or able to climb out) | Weight: 7kg

Tried and tested by Mumsnet : Read our full Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot review .

Robust and simple in design, the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot is a basic, practical travel cot that you'll be glad to have for the odd night away from home with your little one. With breathable mesh on four sides, a carry bag and padding over the poles and edges, it's got everything you need for a safe night's sleep - or a handy play pen.

Mumsnetters say the mattress could be thicker and better quality, which is often the case with cheaper travel cots. If you're looking for a separate mattress, this one from Mother Nurture fits the Red Kite perfectly and folds up for extra practicality while on-the-go.

Need a bed for short trips or as a secondary for the grandparents' house

Are on a tight budget

Read next: The best cabin bags to buy for your next family holiday

Lightweight and easy to fold up and down

Collapses to just 26 cm wide

Comes with a removable infant bassinet

2 wheels for easy manoeuvring

The mattress could be thicker

Price on writing: £80 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (or able to climb out) | Weight: 6.78 kg

With two ways to fold, the Graco FoldLite LX is a brilliant cot for frequent use. The quick fold is designed for speed, while 'Home Fold' is ultra-thin at just 26cm wide - perfect for storing away at home.

We love the two-wheel design that makes the cot easy to drag around, and it's not bad to look at either. The base is one of the lowest to the ground on our list, making it a good option for using as a playpen. It also comes with a removable infant bassinet for smaller babies.

Graco are well-loved by Mumsnetters thanks to their good-quality, affordable baby gear, and this travel cot is no exception.

Want a cot that can be put up and down frequently without too much hassle

Have limited space for storage

Read next: The best nursing chairs to buy, as recommended by mums

LittleLife Arc 2

Insect-proof mesh for hot weather and the outdoors

Has a front panel with a safety toggle that can be zipped open or closed, making it a great option to use as an outdoor playpen

Colour-coded poles make assembly simple

Lightweight option

Thin mattress

Sunshade must be bought separately

Price on writing: £110 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (15kg), but we'd recommend it for toddlers | Weight: 2.5kg

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full LittleLife Arc 2 review

The LittleLife Arc 2 is extremely lightweight (practically featherweight, really, at just 2.5kg), is designed just like a tent and can be folded down compactly to fit into a backpack, which comes with it. This makes it perfect for use on public transport, holidays and camping.

It works just as well outdoors as it does indoors and is great for those grab-and-go moments. Our tester really liked its tent-like design - close to the floor means there's no risk of kids falling out and the cosier sleeping space makes it ideal for younger babies. She was also impressed by the mosquito net - perfect for travel wherever you're headed.

Use public transport when travelling

Want something that could double up as a playpen

Read next: The best baby carriers, tried and tested

BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light

Durable construction

Very comfy mattress

Mattress and fabric is removable and machine-washable

Mattress is fairly close to the floor – one side can be unzipped for easy access though

It’s one of the more expensive cots around

Price on writing: £220 | Suitable from: Birth to three years | Weight: 6kg (including carry bag)

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full BabyBjorn Light review

If you have a little extra to spend, then the luxury and comfort of BabyBjörn's Light will make sleepovers fuss-free no matter where you go. Our tester found it sturdy, simple to set-up and really easy to transport. The mattress is considerably more comfy than those you'll find in cheaper travel cots, and all the fabric parts are removable and machine washable.

The main drawback is the price tag, but if you have the means, then this cot won't let you down.

Need a small portable crib that can be taken on short or long trips

Want to invest in a travel bed that can stand heavy use

Related: The best teddy bears and soft toys for kids of all ages

Joie Commuter Change

Two wheels make this cot easy to move around

Easy to fold and unfold

Bassinet and changing unit don’t fit into carry bag

Side of the cot can’t be pulled down like the new Joie kubbie™ Sleep

Price on writing: £100 | Suitable from: Birth to 15kg | Weight: 12.3kg

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Joie Commuter Change review

Winner of the Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018 award, the Joie Commuter Change didn’t quite make our top five this year, but it’s still a great product and definitely worth considering.

Our tester loved all the added extras that come with the Commuter Change. Not only is there a full-size bassinet, which will save your back when reaching down to your child, but the cot also comes with a changing table which handily clips onto the top.

Read next: The best cot mattresses for a safe night's sleep

Bugaboo Stardust

Great quality mattress

Takes just one second to unfold and three seconds to fold

Can be folded with the mattress left in

Carrycot insert for newborns

On the expensive side

Only suitable up to 2 years

Price on writing: £225 | Suitable from: Birth to two years | Weight: 6.7kg

For those considering a travel cot to use from birth, the Bugaboo Stardust is a great option. It comes with a carrycot insert which means the cot can be used as a bedside crib - perfect for co-sleeping away from home.

It has a height-adjustable mattress and an incredibly easy fold up and down. When folded up, the travel cot is nice and slim, making for easy storage. The mattress is great quality and thicker than the others on our list. At just over £200, it's on the premium end of the spectrum, and the manufacturer recommends only using it up to 2 years, so it doesn't have quite the longevity of most other travel cots, which generally can be used until the age of three.

Want to co-sleep safely away from home

Are expecting to use the cot frequently for sleeping

Related: The best breast pumps, as recommended by Mumsnetters

Travel cots: our pick of the best of the rest

Sturdy but pricey.

We have the Nuna Sena and its amazing, the most hassle-free assembling I've seen having watched BIL trying to get his cheap and cheerful one up! You just push the ring in the middle. It looks great and my kids have both slept great in it when we're away. Also sturdy enough to double as a temporary living room playpen for a while too! Has definitely been one of my highly recommended baby items.

lightningpeach

Nuna Sena Aire

Best travel cot for use as a playpen

Quite a while ago now we bought a BabyDan one from John Lewis which is the same dimensions as a standard cot (not cot bed). Extra handy as we could also use the actual cot mattress in it for extra comfort if we had space in the car, or latterly when we had got rid of the cot but had friends or relatives to stay

DiddlySquatty

BabyDan Travel Cot

Best travel cot for air travel

I've been to many different countries on different planes, trains and automobiles and the Phil & Teds is the only one which works across various check in requirements and ages of children ...100% [would recommend] the P&T one if you actually intend travelling with it, as opposed to staying at Granny's place every now and again.

mynamechangemyrules

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Crib

What age is a travel cot for?

This type of cot is usually used from the newborn stage up until toddlerhood – or until the little wriggler can climb out by themselves.

Do I actually need a one?

The short answer is: no, not necessarily, but that depends entirely on your lifestyle.

Portable beds can be expensive and can take up unnecessary space in an otherwise baby-filled home, so if you think you'll only get use out of one for two weeks of the year, then you could probably do without.

If you already have a co-sleeper, Moses basket or carrycot that you use with a travel system , you might be able to use that when you're away from home with a smaller baby.

If, however, you tend to travel often or think your little one will have regular sleepovers with the grandparents, then a travel cot is a great solution.

It'll not only be easier to cart around, but it'll offer a familiar and comforting environment for your child no matter where they rest their head.

Are travel cots safe?

Safety is crucial when buying a travel bed for your little one so, while all products should have some sort of testing certification, be sure to check the safety features out yourself.

If you plan to buy in-store, ask to see it being assembled

Check how sturdy it is – could it withstand being knocked into?

Look for safety locks on wheels if there are any – can they also be tucked away when not in use?

Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered

Check for sharp corners and padded rails

Assess whether your child would be able to climb out easily – check that the side panels are high enough

Safe sleeping and travel cot mattresses

The Lullaby Trust says that all cots need to comply with British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards regardless of how old they are. If there is no safety standard number visible then you shouldn't buy it.

When it comes to safe sleeping, they also insist that the bed's original mattress needs to be firm, entirely flat and waterproof with no soft or cushioned areas, particularly around the baby's head. Babies should be placed on their backs with their feet at the foot of the cot.

Soft mattresses are known to increase the risk of SIDS as they make it harder for babies to lose body heat, which can cause them to become too hot.

Sleep positioners and pillows must not be used and there should also be no loose or bulky bedding inside the crib as this can cause a baby to overheat.

Even if the mattress feels thin, don't be tempted to place folded blankets underneath your child. Go for a baby sleeping bag or a well-fitted swaddle instead.

The Lullaby Trust also advise that portable cribs aren’t placed against radiators and remain out of reach of blind cords.

How much does a travel cot cost?

Prices range from £20 to over £200, and your budget will probably depend entirely on how much you think you'll use it.

As with anything, the most expensive option won't necessarily be best suited to you and your child. Some cheaper models may do just the trick and will last well into the toddler years too.

Can I buy one secondhand?

Yes, you can, but make sure you always follow the manufacturer's instructions before using.

Make sure it isn’t damaged or broken, that the frame is intact and that there aren’t any sharp edges that could cause injury. If possible, ask to assemble and fold it down before you buy to check it works as it should.

Secondhand travel cots can go from anywhere between £10 and £80.

Other things to consider when buying a travel cot

1. portability.

Check the size and weight. Can it be folded down compactly? Is it likely to fit into the boot of your car?

If you tend to travel by public transport, you'll want a bed that's lightweight and easy to carry. For planes, some small cots may even be able to fit into an overhead locker.

2. Assembly and storage

By nature, travel beds are usually easy to put up and fold down. Pop-ups are, of course, the easiest, but check to see if your chosen product is quick to assemble, fold and pack away.

When it comes to storage, the amount of space you have at home will influence your decision.

Some models have mattresses that fold with the frame before they go into a bag, and most will fit into the back of a cupboard or under a bed when stored away.

3. How to clean

Babies create mess – and a lot of it too. Look for a removable mattress that comes with a fitted sheet, which you will be able to stick in the washing machine.

Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water.

4. Extra features

Many larger models double up as a playpen which is great for keeping your child safe at all times no matter where they are. Some even come with changing tables, mobiles and bassinets for newborns.

You’ll find that the added extras will usually need to be carried separately once the frame is folded down. Brands that offer attachments like these include Joie (the Joie Commuter Change won Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018), BabyBjorn and Graco.

Some, like the Arc 2, also come with added extras like built-in mosquito nets for camping.

What's the best travel cot to buy?

The Joie kubbie Sleep is the best travel cot to buy in 2024. Mumsnetters love that it doubles as a co-sleeper, making it a versatile, useful and great value buy. The compact design makes it easy to transport and set up, while the bedside feature allows for easy access to your baby during the night. Overall, the Joie Baby Kubbie Sleep Bedside Travel Cot is a great choice for parents looking for a safe and comfortable sleep solution for their little one.

How we tested and why you should trust us

For continuity, we try to get one tester to test all the products in a single category. This reduces any potential variables during the testing process and ensures that our results are based on like-for-like comparisons. After approximately 24 hours of research, our tester, Ruth, produced a shortlist of 14 cots to put to the test. The list included the most highly recommended cots by Mumsnet users and other review sites, plus a wide range of designs and price tags, from nifty pop-ups to more studier models akin to traditional cribs.

Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas:

Safety and stability

Comfort and day-to-day use, cleanliness, value for money.

Five products were then awarded a Mumsnet Best badge – these are the products that we feel offer the absolute best value for most parents. We also gave honourable mentions to four others.

Ruth scored each product based on each criteria below, with the highest scoring coming out on top as the overall winner. Honourable mentions were then given to nine other top-performing beds.

We looked at a number of factors including:

Durability and materials – how well was each product made and finished?

Safety features – did the product have padded rails, lockable wheels, mesh ventilation, firm bedding, a locking system etc? And could a baby's fingers become trapped? Ruth studied everything from the frame to the mattress

Choking hazards – were there any parts that could come loose?

Sturdiness – she walked into it, knocked it against furniture and dropped it when assembled and packed away. Could each cot withstand the weight of both an adult and child if accidentally fallen into?

Safety standards – she also looked for the appropriate safety labels

Height of side panels – could a child climb out easily?

Assembly and folding

How straightforward was it to assemble and fold?

Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through?

Each cot was assembled and taken down 20 times – this was also timed to see how long it would take

We also wanted to see which products might cause difficulty for people with mobility issues and which were the easiest to assemble and take down

Ruth also considered how easy it would be to access spare parts and whether each cot came with a warranty

Ruth looked at how much space the cot took up in a room – did it slot in easily, and was it more suited to indoors or outdoors?

Could it be moved around easily, particularly through doorways, from one room to another, and up and down the stairs? Did it have to be folded in order to do so?

How easy was it to place the child inside? Could the side panels be lowered?

When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play?

Was it heavy to carry and did it fit comfortably in the boot of an average-sized family car? Could it be taken on public transport easily?

Ruth analysed looks, including colours, fabrics and overall design

Did the bed fit in with the décor? Was the design attractive and user-friendly?

Were there different colours to choose from?

The likes of mud, sand, peanut butter, milk and orange juice were smeared and spilled onto the interior and exterior to see how easy stains were to remove

Ruth also checked for removable bedding that could easily be thrown into the washing machine

We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper

If pricey, was it worth the price tag?

And were there any extras included to make the investment more justified?

How real-life comparative testing makes Mumsnet Reviews unique

We commissioned Ruth Lumley to write about and test a variety of toddler and baby travel cots. Ruth is a journalist who has used a number of baby beds with her three young children – from the newborn stage right through to toddlerhood and while holidaying abroad and visiting relatives in the UK.

During the research process, she looked at the types of products available, scoured the Mumsnet forums for recommendations and spoke to baby sleep experts from The Lullaby Trust , an organisation that provides advice on safer sleep for babies.Ruth tried out each bed with her youngest child, who was 18 months old at the time of testing. She tested each for at least three nights, both at home and at the grandparents' house, which meant that all the models were subject to the same environmental factors and held a child of the same age and weight.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy , The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy  and Mother Power . She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

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The 7 Very Best Camping Cots

In this article

• Best overall
• Best budget-friendly
• Best extra-large
• Best low-profile
• Best ultralight
• Best bunk bed

Camping cots might seem simple enough in design — after all, they’re just fabric stretched over a simple frame — but, as with most outdoor gear , choosing the right cot depends on what you plan to use it for. Whether you’re car camping with the family, on a river trip, sleeping in a truck bed, or even solo backpacking , there are many scenarios where a cot comes in handy. Just as with tents , choosing a suitable cot is all about making trade-offs, and prioritizing certain features will come at the cost of others. If comfort is the ultimate goal, then you’re looking for a cot with a cushier bed and sturdier frame, which often means it’ll be bulkier and a little harder to transport but convenient and easy to set up. On the other hand, ultralight cots are highly portable but not as durable, and because they pack down small, they’re often composed of many parts, which makes assembly trickier.

Whatever type of cot you opt for, before taking it on its first adventure, “Do a test run first,” says Shanti Hodges, founder of Hike It Baby and owner of Wild Utah Tours, a guiding company that leads tours in and around Zion National Park. “Set it up at home and lay on it so you really know what it feels like. You don’t want to fumble around in the dark trying to set it up.”

We spoke with outdoor experts to compile our recommendations, getting tips on how to discern the good from the bad and their tried-and-tested favorites. While I was once a dedicated ground sleeper, long gone are my days of waking up on a leaky air mattress. I’ve been a cot convert since having a child, and I find it makes the family camping experience much more enjoyable. Plus, they’re useful for hosting company or as a makeshift bench for a day at the park.

What we’re looking for

“Get the dimensions right,” says Liz Thomas, professional hiker, outdoor-gear reviewer, and co-founder of Treeline Review . Thomas cautions against saving a few bucks on a shorter or narrower cot that won’t fit your body. “If your feet are hanging off the end, you aren’t going to get a great night of sleep. Similarly, make sure your cot is wide enough for the broadest part of your body — with several inches to spare.” Take note of the cot’s height as you’ll want something you can easily get on and off of, making sure you’ve got enough headroom when sitting up in your tent.

A camping cot has to fit in your tent, and you’ll need to check those dimensions beforehand, especially if you plan to use more than one cot. “Many so-called four-person or six-person tents actually can’t fit four or six camping cots. Get out the tape measure to find the dimensions on your camping tent,” Thomas says. “Remember to add some buffer for personal space and a place to store shoes, gear, etc.”

Camping cots generally range in weight from about 3 to 30 pounds. For backpacking or long-distance adventures, you’ll want something lightweight and portable that you can comfortably carry for miles. For car camping and other scenarios where transport is less of an issue, the added weight might be worth the comfort and durability upgrade you’ll get with a cushier, sturdier bed.

Your camping cot needs to support the weight of your body; if it can’t, you might rest against the frame while lying down, making for an uncomfortable sleep. Worse, the cot might collapse altogether.

Camping-cot frames are generally constructed from steel, steel alloy, or aluminum. Generally, steel frames are more durable but heavier, while aluminum frames are more lightweight but can bend or snap more easily. For backpacking and hiking into camp, aluminum is the material of choice. For those who want a do-it-all cot that can work for car camping and having company over, a steel-framed cot can take more of a beating and will last longer.

The sleeping surface on most cots is typically polyester, nylon, or lightweight canvas. Heavier fabrics like canvas will tend to be more durable and a little more comfortable and quieter to sleep on, while lighter-weight fabrics are good for those looking to shave ounces, but they’re more prone to tearing and typically aren’t as warm to lay on. Mesh fabric is ideal for those looking for maximum breathability and adventures like river rafting because it dries quickly and doesn’t hold on to sand.

Best overall camping cot

Size: 75 inches x 28 inches X 17 inches  | Weight: 15.8 pounds | Capacity: 300 pounds  | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Polyester canvas

Vehicle space is invaluable when car camping, and finding a cot that doesn’t skimp on comfort and only takes up a little trunk room is challenging. The Coleman Mantis is both comfy and solid, and it packs down much smaller than other cots of the same size, including our budget pick, the Coleman Trailhead II. I had a chance to field test it at the end of this camping season and was surprised by how sturdy and stable it is. It utilizes a hubbed design, where shock-corded poles snap into the spring-loaded plastic hubs and then onto the side poles to create tension in the fabric. While it looks like it might wobble, it doesn’t tip, even when you’re sitting on the cot’s edge to lace up hiking boots, and the rounded feet are stable on uneven terrain. The fabric is tough, has well-sewn seams, and stays taut when you’re lying on it.

The maze of poles makes it slightly confusing to set up the first time, but it doesn’t require any force to assemble, and once you know what you’re doing, it only takes a few minutes. My 9-year-old nephew was able to figure it out on his own. There are no end bars, so it’s comfortable for taller people to lay on and wide enough that it has ample shoulder room for most. The cot height allows enough space to store belongings under, and it’s comfortable to get on and off.

Given the weight, the Mantis is best suited for car camping and places where you won’t have to carry it very far. Because of its unique design the Coleman cot is also pricier than most, so if you’re someone who tosses and turns a lot in your sleep and space isn’t an issue, you’d be better to go with a more classic design as the holes in the plastic hubs do have the potential to warp.

Best (less-expensive) camping cot

Size: 73 inches x 35 inches x 17 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Capacity: 300 pounds | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Nylon

The Coleman Trailhead II is a relatively inexpensive cot that’s sturdy and comfortable. “There are no frills with this camp cot, but the price is right. While it’s not going to be the fanciest, it’s more reliable than similarly priced options out there,” says Thomas, who used the Coleman for car camping at a trail-themed outdoor festival when she wanted something more plush than her usual backpacking setup.

The Trailhead II has a little more width than most standard cots, and the height allows room to store backpacks and shoes underneath. It has end bars, so you’ll want to ensure the dimensions fit your body, otherwise you might not have the comfiest night’s rest. The steel cross-bar frame is durable and long-lasting; however, assembling the cot will prove difficult for some. Getting the fabric stretched over the end bars requires strength to force the last connection into place. But there’s a trick: to get the fourth corner locked in, stand the cot on its end, place your foot on the bar, and use your body weight as leverage; it’ll pop in much easier. Given the weight and slightly larger size, it’s best suitable for car camping or trips where you won’t have to lug it around.

Best extra-large camping cot

Size: 86 inches x 45 inches x 19.5 inches  | Weight: 26 pounds | Capacity: 600 pounds  | Frame: Aluminum with reinforced steel legs | Fabric: Polyester canvas

The Teton Sports Outfitter has everything we’re looking for in a quality cot and consistently shows up on gear lists of reputable outdoor publications with thousands of five-star Amazon reviews to back it up. The Outfitter cot is versatile, comfortable, and user-friendly, with bigger dimensions all around that give more room to stretch out (it’s even wide enough to co-sleep with kids). The added height also makes it much easier to get on and off and frees up tent space since you can store plenty of gear underneath. Many cots are a struggle to assemble, but the Teton cot is unusual in that it has a built-in lever that makes snapping the tightest end bar into place much less difficult (you won’t have to muscle the last corner in like with our budget pick). The frame is a combination of aluminum and steel, so it’s strong without being too hefty, making for a long-lasting cot that will see you through many camping seasons and doubles as a nice sturdy bed for overnight guests at home.

If space and weight are a factor, the Teton Sports camping cot is available in the smaller and lighter Adventurer version that features the same pivot arm.

Best low-profile camping cot

Size: 74 inches x 30 inches x 7.5 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Capacity: 250 pounds | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Polyester

Hodges’s camping cot of choice is the versatile ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight cot because it’s low profile and not too heavy, assembly is straightforward, and it’s comfortable to sleep on. “I’m happy with the setup of it, and it broke down really well,” she said after recently using it on a trip to Burning Man. “It won’t take up a lot of space in your car, and you can use it in a lot of different scenarios.” The steel frame requires a bit of muscling together, but it’s solid, and the cot material is durable. While lighter cots are better for backpacking or hike ins, the ALPS weight is still under ten pounds, so it’s fairly portable. That makes it ideal for car camping, truck beds, or river trips.

Best mesh camping cot

Size: 74 inches x 28 inches x 15 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Capacity: 250 pounds | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Heavy-duty polyester mesh

“I’m a huge fan of the Roll-a-Cot,” says Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer. “It packs down so small for the amount of comfort it provides, and it’s great for rafting because it’s waterproof and sheds sand like a boss. I appreciate that the storage bag is also a great place to stash a headlamp and water bottle overnight.”

The aluminum frame is supportive yet lightweight, making this heavy-duty mesh cot a versatile choice for most situations. Setup is quick and easy — it doesn’t eat up your fingers like other cots, says Murray — and packing it down is just as simple: It folds in half, rolls up, and stashes in its carrying case. “The adjustable tension makes it great for everyone,” Murray says. “I like a stiff bed, so I tighten the wingnuts as far as they go. My husband prefers his bed to cradle him, so he doesn’t rail his cot nearly as tight. It’s really the perfect bed for everyone!”

The mesh Roll-a-Cot also comes in short , wide , and long and wide versions.

Best ultralight camping cot

Size: 72 inches x 24 inches x 4.5 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Capacity: 325 pounds | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Ultralight polyester ripstop laminate with reflective coating

At under three pounds, the Therm-a-Rest UltraLite cot is one of the lightest camping cots on the market, making it an option for backpackers and hikers who want to shave off as many ounces from their pack as possible. I used the UltraLite on a recent camping trip in British Columbia and found it really comfortable to lay on (though the fabric is a little noisy), and the reflective coating on the underside of the material helps retain warmth throughout the night and provides a buffer from the cold ground.

The trade-off for having such a lightweight cot is that everything about it is a little more delicate; the polyester fabric is a little more prone to tearing than heavier-duty material, and the plastic feet can break. First-time assembly also proved a little challenging; there are a lot of parts to the UltraLite, and it took some muscle and finesse to get the feet hooked onto the side bars, so setting this up in the dark without practice would be a difficult task. That said, if traveling light is your top priority and you’re not hard on your gear, the UltraLite is a solid bet.

The Therm-a-Rest UltraLite also comes in a large version .

Best bunk bed camping cot

Size: 79 inches x 36 inches x 28 inches | Weight: 36 pounds per cot | Capacity: 500 pounds per cot | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Polyester with PVC coating

Double-decker cots are a huge bonus when camping with kids because they free up space for storing gear, says Hodges. “Kids like bunk-bed situations in general, and when you’re trying to get a lot of stuff into a tent, they keep everything contained and not totally chaotic.”

With enough space to store items underneath, each cot on the double-stacked Disc-O-Bed also has side organizers for smaller items. The trade-off for being heavy and a little bulky is that the cots are comfortable and incredibly sturdy. They’re also versatile: The set can be configured as single cots, bunk beds (the four stacking adapters are included), or converted to a bench for daytime lounging.

The Disc-O-Bed also comes in youth , XL , and XXL versions.

Our experts

• Shanti Hodges, founder of Hike It Baby and owner of Wild Utah Tours • Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer • Liz Thomas, professional hiker, author of Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike , and co-founder of Treeline Review

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Choice issue warning after some of australia’s most popular portable cots fail safety testing.

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Consumer group CHOICE is warning parents after an “extremely concerning” number of portable cots failed its lab testing, as it called on the government to mandate new safety standards.

The consumer advocacy group tested 26 currently available portable cots from brands including Kmart, Phil & Teds, Target and 4Baby (Baby Bunting) against current industry standards - both mandatory and voluntary - finding only eight passed the test.

CHOICE said current mandated safety standards were applied in 1999, while updated standards introduced in 2010 remain only voluntary. It is calling on governments to strengthen the product safety laws to ensure all manufacturers are legally required to adhere to the most recent safety standards.

Among the new, as yet voluntary, standards is a safety specification that a child must be able to breathe through the textile materials and other materials used in the breathable zone around the mattress.

CHOICE said most of the safety failures it found related to soft or poorly fitting mattresses inside the portacot, which can increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death.

However, a number of the companies involved have disputed CHOICE’s results.

CHOICE testing expert Kim Gilmour said the number of cots that failed its testing was “extremely concerning”.

“We also see problematic cot designs that have ‘puffy’ covers that can also cause a risk,” Gilmour said.

CHOICE accused the government of only making safety standards mandatory after a product had caused death or serious injury.

“This reactive approach is also inherent in general product safety laws, which allow businesses to react to product safety problems after they happen rather than trying to prevent them from occurring in the first place,” CHOICE said.

“Ultimately, the result for both regulated and non-regulated products is that consumers have to wait until tragedy strikes for governments to take action and for businesses to take responsibility.”

Gilmour said parents should not just be looking at price and/or brand when purchasing a portable cot. The CHOICE website recommends models that have a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70 per cent or more.

“We find that even some of the leading brands of portacots have issues that pose safety risks for babies,” she said.

“Our advice is to always check our reviews and do some research before you settle on which one to purchase.”

Wesfarmers, which owns Kmart and Target, told 7NEWS.com.au it disagreed with CHOICE’s claims that four of its cots were unsafe.

“Both brands have tested this product to these same standards in an independent accredited laboratory and the results showed full compliance,” a Kmart Group spokesperson said.

“We disputed CHOICE’s findings over a month ago and questioned testing methods because CHOICE do not use an accredited laboratory to test portacots– our Kmart and Target Portacots have been tested by an independent accredited laboratory and fully complied to the same mandatory and voluntary standards that CHOICE is referencing.”

According to Australian national accreditation body NATA , CHOICE does use an accredited lab for its testing.

Star Kidz - whose Super Light Travel Cots were also found to have failed CHOICE’s testing - also disagreed with the findings, saying that the cots are “produced in compliance with both mandatory and voluntary Australian safety standards”.

“We have the product tested independently by Intertek and passed all the components of the same tests conducted by CHOICE”, the company said.

The cots that failed the CHOICE test

• Aeromoov Instant Travel Cot ($399)
• Baby Bunting 4Baby Liteway Travel Cot EA11816 ($149)
• Baby Bunting 4Baby Clouds 2 in 1 Portacot EA12117 ($99)
• Baby Bunting 4Baby Vacation Portacot EA12116 ($49)
• Babyhood Uno 2 in 1 Portacot ($449)
• Chicco Lullaby Easy Portacot ($500)
• Childcare Matisse 4 in 1 Travel Cot ($180)
• Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot ($329)
• Kmart Anko Travel Portacot 42-001-409 ($49)
• Kmart Anko 3 in 1 Portacot 42723370 ($95)
• Love N Care Playland Travel Cot ($150)
• Phil & Teds Traveller 2021 TR-V5-5/100 ($450)
• Star Kidz Amico Super Light Travel Cot ($249)
• Star Kidz Vivo Super Light Travel Cot ($399)
• Target Adventure V2 3 in 1 Portacot BRT022A1 ($99) NOTE: a previous version of this product received a CHOICE Recommended score in our 2019 review, however this is a different updated model.
• Target Holiday Portacot BRT023A ($55)
• Vee Bee Amado Travel & Play Cot N9560 ($199)
• Vee Bee The Sierra N9338 ($239)

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Ultimate Guide To The Best Portacot Australia 2023

Finding the best portacot, Australia 2023 can feel overwhelming – it’s hard to know which product is perfect for you and your baby when there’s such a range of different types, styles, material, and prices. This guide will talk you through all the portacot types and features so that you can make an informed choice and find the best portacot to buy.

The best portacot 2023 should look great, not be too heavy, be sturdy, durable, comfy, and most importantly, safe. The problem is that if you type “buy portacot in Australia,” you’ll be given so many thousands of results that you might not know where to start. Read this guide and you’ll be well on your way to find the best travel cot Australia has to offer.

Click here to see the best portacot now!

I’ve written travel cot reviews for the top 9 portacots that are available on the web so that you don’t have to trawl the internet for hours. Whether you’re looking for a small portacot, extra large portacot or just a cheap portacot, this guide will ensure you find the best portable cot for your needs.

• 1 Compare The Top 9 Best Portacot Australia 2023
• 2 Top 9 Best Portacots 2023 Australia
• 3 Standard Cot Vs Portacot
• 4.1.1 Standard Sized Portacot
• 4.1.2 Travel Cot
• 4.2 Size, Child Age, and Capacity
• 4.3 Weight And Portability
• 4.4 Quick Assembly And Storage
• 4.5 Durability And Safety
• 4.6 Inclusions And Accessories
• 5.1 Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Review
• 5.2 Phil and Teds Traveller Travel Cot Review
• 5.3 Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot Review
• 5.4 Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy Portacot Travel Cot Review
• 5.5 NARMAY Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed Review
• 5.6 Love N Care Playland Travel Cot Review
• 5.7 Star Kidz Amico Plus Light Travel Cot Review
• 5.8 Bebe Care Zuri Timber Travel Cot Review
• 5.9 Giantex 3-in-1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot Review
• 5.10 Related posts:

Compare The Top 9 Best Portacot Australia 2023

Top 9 best portacots 2023 australia.

Handy reference list of the best travel cot Australia offers – see all full portacot reviews below!

• Baby Bjorn Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Phil and Teds Traveller Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy Portacot Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed, Small/Travel
• Love N Care Playland Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Star Kidz Amico Plus Light Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Bebe Care Zuri Timber Travel Cot, Small/Travel
• Giantex 3-in-1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot, Big/Standard

Standard Cot Vs Portacot

What exactly is the difference between a standard cot and a portacot and why should you consider getting the best portacot for travel, rather than just bringing your standard cot?

• A standard cot is usually heavy, while a portacot is much lighter. When it comes to travelling, a portacot is definitely better than a standard cot – nobody wants to be lugging around a great big and heavy standard cot.
• A portacot can be easily stored and carried because it’s designed to pack down compactly – take them along in the car or even on planes. A standard cot, on the other hand, may not fold down at all and be difficult to pack in the car (forget about taking it on the plane).
• The mattress of a portacot is typically removable vs a standard cot mattress which may not be. This allows you to pack it down more compactly.
• Standard cots are designed for everyday use whereas a portacot can only be used on a temporary basis. This is because the mattress of a portacot isn’t suitable for long term use – think of it as how you wouldn’t sleep on a camp bed every night when at home.

Choosing The Best Travel Portacot 2023

The best travel cot for babies should have a number of qualities such as being lightweight etc. Bear in mind, the best product for your needs might not be the best product for another mum or dad. Here are some quick tips on how to choose the perfect portacot for your baby.

The two most common types of portacot include standard sized portacots and travel cots. They’re quite similar and you may find that some brands refer to them interchangeably but there are some key differences.

Standard Sized Portacot

Standard sized portacots are usually bulkier than travel cots because they are sized to ordinary home cots and are essentially large travel cots.

• Suitable for trips where you’re travelling in the car, and for destinations where space is not an issue, for example when visiting relatives.
• Often includes bassinets and changing tables, so your baby can be protected from bright lights and insects.
• Full sized — baby has plenty of room to stretch out and they can be comfier than portacots.
• Bulkier — may not be suitable for plane travel.
• May take a bit of time to set up.

A travel cot is smaller, lighter, and more compact. The smallest travel cots are very easy to transport from one place to the next, as you would expect.

• Lightweight — made for flights and road trips where space is an issue.
• A small travel cot is very easy to set up and very convenient to store.
• Does not come with extra features like bassinets and changing tables.
• Smaller — baby has less room and they will outgrow them quicker.

Size, Child Age, and Capacity

The size the cot is really important to think about — how long will your child be able to use it for? If you get a very small one, they will outgrow it quicker than if you get a bigger one where there’s room to grow. You’ll need a large portacot if you’re looking for the best travel cot for toddler aged kids. For newborns, and if space is a big concern, you might want to consider a small one, since this will fold down more compactly.

Always make sure your child’s weight doesn’t exceed the maximum weight limit as this will be unsafe. In each review of the following products, we’ve made sure to include the dimensions of each product, so you can choose the best suited one for your baby.

Weight And Portability

When it comes to travelling, the lighter the better — the best lightweight travel portacot takes a load off (literally) of your journey. If you’ll only be carrying it to and from the car, then weight isn’t such a big concern. However, if you’ll be carrying it through airports, on trains, and across cities, then think carefully about the product’s weight.

Most travel cots nowadays are built with portability in mind, so they often come with a travel bag to transport the cot which can be a great help too.

Quick Assembly And Storage

One of the best things about travel cots is that they’re often easy and quick to assemble and put away. Being away from home with a baby can be stressful, so an easy to set up cot is definitely the best travel cot for newborn babies.

Durability And Safety

You’ll of course want to choose a product that is durable and is going to last you. Portacots tend to last longer because they are designed more sturdily. Travel cots may not last as long — this is a trade-off for being more lightweight. Always replace the cot when it becomes damaged.

Safety is likely at the forefront of your mind when deciding which travel cot to buy. All cots, including travel cots, sold in Australia must pass very strict regulations, so they are generally very safe. Always check that the cot you buy has been certified safe – check for the appropriate tags on the product.

It’s strongly recommended that you use the mattress that comes with the cot. If it doesn’t come with one, or you need to buy a replacement, ensure the mattress fits exactly in the cot – an ill fitting mattress can be dangerous. The mattress should also be firm so that it doesn’t mould to their face — this can interfere with their breathing (SIDS). Read more about safety when using a travel cot.

Inclusions And Accessories

Some cots may come with additional great features that can make your trip go smoother and make baby’s time in the cot even more comfortable.

• Mattress and Sheets – Cots that come with their own mattresses and sheets will be the perfect fit — you don’t need to spend time looking for the correctly sized sheets and mattress.
• Portable Changer – Some cots have a changer that fits on top of the cot. Place your baby on the changer and they’re at the perfect height for nappy changes. No more needing to use sometimes unhygienic public changers.
• Pockets – Some cots come with pockets that hang on the edge of the cot. These are great to have to keep all baby related items organised.
• Bassinet – A portacot with a bassinet provides you with another place to rest your newborn that’s at waist height — a nice feature for daytime naps.
• Rocker or Wheels – Wheels make things more convenient when moving baby around the house you’re staying at. They should include stoppers too, so the cot can’t move on its own.

Best Travel Cots Reviews Australia 2023

Baby bjorn travel cot review.

Rating: 5.0

Specifications:

• Type: Small, Travel
• Weight: 6kg
• Dimensions: 112 x 82 x 64 cm

This Bjorn cot is intended for newborn babies up to three years old. A comfy mattress is included along with a soft cotton sheet. The walls are made with mesh so that you can always see your baby as they sleep and allow them to look out. You can set it up so easily, with just one move to get it ready.

A great feature of this cot is the ability to machine wash the fabrics — the cot fabric on warm/40C and the mattress cover on hot/60C. Assembled, the cot measures 112 x 82 x 64 cm and when packed down into the provided travel bag, just 60 x 49 x 14 cm. It weighs only 6kg. Be sure to compare on eBay to get the Baby Bjorn portacot best price and also to read another Baby Bjorn portacot review from happy mums and dads.

What I like:

• Easy to set up cosy crib (just one move!)
• Child friendly material
• Approved with Oeko-Tex Standard
• Lightweight, portable, perfect for travel – 6 kg

What I dislike:

• Pricey from some sellers but good deals do come up frequently on eBay

>> Click here for the latest prices.

Phil and Teds Traveller Travel Cot Review

Rating: 4.5

• Weight: 2.8kg
• Dimensions: 117 x 63 x 79 cm

You can buy Phil And Teds traveller portacot if you’re looking for babies under two years. It comes with a mattress as well as a polyester sheet. The frame is made with aluminium and the mesh sides are built for breathability and for you to watch over your baby. Assembly only takes 2 minutes of your time.

The fabrics can be sponge cleaned with warm water using a mild natural soap, but it’s not advisable to machine wash or use detergents. It measures 117 x 63 x 79 cm when assembled and folds down really compactly to 65 x 20 x 20 cm when stored in the included travel bag. It only weighs 2.8kg.

The mattress is built to be firm in order to prevent SIDS. Be sure to check out the Phil And Teds traveller portacot price (very reasonable) as well as read another Phil And Teds portacot review on eBay.

• Lightweight – 2.8 kg
• Self expanding mattress & snap crib assembly 
• Comes with a carry bag for storage/transport
• Global safety standards certified 
• Fabric can be sponge cleaned but not washable — no soap, solvents, detergents or bleach

>> Click here for the latest prices on eBay.

Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot Review

Rating: 4.0

• Weight: 9kg
• Dimensions: 93 × 22 x 37 cm

If you’re looking for a safe, reliable and strong portacot, I recommend this one from Silver Cross. The Slumber Travel Cot is really a 3 in 1 – it can sleep newborns in the removeable insert, toddlers as a cot, and with a zippered side which opens up, it can be used as a playpen.

This is one of those few portacot options that feels strong and sturdy. There is additional padding on the sides and plastic feet which allow it to be used outdoors. It offers a safe, secure feeling owing to it’s durability and folds up compactly into the included bag – albeit on the heavy side.

However as with many portacots of this style, the mattress isn’t the most comfortable and would benefit from some additional padding. But for strength and reliability, you can’t go wrong.

• 3 in 1 – newborn bed, toddler cot and playpen
• Strong and durable with padded sides
• Can be used outdoors
• Among the heaviest options

Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy Portacot Travel Cot Review

• Weight: 8kg
• Dimensions: 101 x 74 x 78 cm

We couldn’t leave off this Roger Armstrong portacot review. This cot is for babies under 15 kg or up to two years old. It comes with a soft padded mattress and the mesh sides provide great ventilation. The cot has a handy side zip so you don’t always need to bend over into the cot.

It measures 101 x 74 x 78 cm — plenty of space for stretching babies. When folded, it’s only 60 x 15 x 49 cm, combining comfort, support and portability. This one’s a little heavier since it’s a full sized cot – it weighs 8kg. You get a handy carry bag. Check out the Roger Armstrong portacot price on eBay to be pleasantly surprised.

• Soft, padded mattress for safe, comfy sleep or a play space
• Max capacity of 15 kg
• Includes a carry bag – compact folding design & easy to store
• A bit heavy – 8kg

NARMAY Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed Review

• Weight: 0.4kg
• Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 7 cm

When it comes to affordable baby travel beds it doesn’t get much cheaper than the NARMAY Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed.

This is an incredibly lightweight pop up tent for babies and toddlers to relax, play and sleep in (with additional support). It comes with an included bag and instantly pops out with minimal effort. There is a single zippered mesh access compartment to provide some protection from sun and bugs. Folding it back down into the bag is a little more difficult but still easy.

Make no mistake however – this is not really an alternative to many of the portacots above, but a fun and convenient option on the beach or while visiting.

• Super lightweight
• Easy to pack/unpack
• No mattress or support for sleeping

Love N Care Playland Travel Cot Review

• Weight: 9.6kg
• Dimensions: 115 x 80 x 78 cm

This cot is for babies under two or less than 14kg. It comes with a comfy mattress. The mesh material provides plenty of ventilation and allows you to see through. Cleaning this cot is easy – just wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap.

When standing, it measures 115 x 80 x 78 cm, and when folded in the included travel bag, it measures 78 x 28 x 25 cm. Weighing in at 9.6kg, it’s a bit heavier than some competitors but this is because it’s designed to provide premium support. You might be pleasantly surprised by the Love N Care portacot price on Amazon.

• Easy to use and assemble
• Delivers great stability, mobility & convenience 
• Compact, simple to fold, transport or store – carry bag included
• Not lightweight – 9.6 kg

Star Kidz Amico Plus Light Travel Cot Review

• Weight: 5.2kg
• Dimensions: 106 x 70 x 60 cm

The Amico Plus is suitable for children under three or up to 13 kg. It comes with a padded mattress and cotton fitted sheet. The fabrics are luxurious and certified safe — made from OEKO-textiles free from harmful substances.

It measures 106 x 70 x 60 cm when set up and when folded into the provided travel bag, it’s only 60 x 15 x 49 cm. Weighing in at 5.2kg, this is a light and convenient cot for travel but at the same time also ensures support for your baby. The side zip feature is great for preventing bad backs too.

• Simple set up and fold up process
• Light & convenient to carry – about 5.2 kg
• Comes with a carry bag for transportation/storage
• Globally safety certified 
• Getting the “feet” attached to the legs can be a bit of a pain as it’s a tight fit but this is definitely not a deal breaker

Bebe Care Zuri Timber Travel Cot Review

• Dimensions: 116 x 84 x 70.5 cm

Another solid baby portacot option is this one from Bebe Care. An attractive beechwood design offers strong support, and with mesh fabric on all sides, portacots don’t really get more ventilated than this. This also has the benefit of providing more visibility for parents.

Included with this portacot is an infant bassinet, making it suitable from birth. Further, there is a removable toy bar with 3 (quite cute) hanging toys. The included foldable mattress is also quite soft.

This isn’t the most lightweight option, however I wouldn’t call it heavy and it does fold compactly, but note the weight limit is 13kg. This is a good option for baby’s early years.

• Infant bassinet with removeable toy bar
• Attractive beechwood design
• Ventilated mesh sides
• Low weight limit

Giantex 3-in-1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot Review

• Type: Big, Standard
• Weight: 10.4kg
• Dimensions: 100 x 70 x 74 cm
• Wheels: Yes

This 3 in 1 baby playard by Giantex is made for kids under 10kg. Built with convenience in mind, it’s very easy to set it up and fold it down with an included carry bag and two lockable wheels for easily moving it around.

When assembled, it stands at 100 x 70 x 74 cm which makes it spacious enough without being bulky. Included are three cool toys and a music box. Similar to the previous product, this one also comes with a bassinet and a changing table, as well as a side storage bag so you get a range of uses out of the cot. Given the extra features it includes, its weight of 10.4kg isn’t bad at all.

• Includes a changer, bassinet & the travel cot
• Quick and easy to assemble/disassemble
• Compact and simple to fold, transport & store
• Designed with 4 mesh sides 
• Thin plastic mattress

I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best portacot. F ind the best baby rocker here or the best baby nest guide here . Otherwise you can find all our guides to the best baby products here .

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Related posts:

Cassie is a study-at-home mum to two kids in Melbourne. She loves sharing her experiences of life plus kids with you here.

• Travel Products

Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot review

When you're travelling as a parent, it's a given that you'll have a lot of baby paraphernalia to bring along with you and one of the most useful pieces of equipment you'll need is a travel cot or crib . Weighing just 6kg, the Cuggl Delux Travel Cot is a popular choice for many parents.

The Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot at a glance:

This travel cot is the perfect all-rounder for parents on the move. The deluxe travel cot from Cuggl is great to set your baby down in wherever you are and then when they need to be changed you can attach the removable changer and bassinet to the top at the perfect height. Set on wheels, you can easily move it around and when you're not using it you can easily fold it away.

Read our essential guide to the best travel cots here

Product specification:

Size H68, L85, W56cm

Folds for storage - folded size L50, W61, D16cm

Suitable from birth to 24 months

Suitable for babies up to 15kg

Carry bag included for easy of transportation

1. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot 

www.argos.co.uk

Would you recommend this to other mums?

Ruth:  I would recommend this product to a fellow mum because it is so lightweight and compact. Other travel cots are really large and heavy which makes them a pain to travel with! This folds quickly and easily plus the instructions are really easy to follow. My little boy seemed to find it very comfortable.

Tori:  I would definitely recommend this product to other mums. It’s so easy to put up and down and transport with its handy bag. It folds up thin and small fitting in our boot along with the double pram and a few bags! My little one slept perfectly. Some travel cots we looked at didn’t have the best mattress but this was great! I found it so easy to wipe down and clean.

Sarah:  If you’re looking for an inexpensive no-nonsense travel cot then I would recommend this. It was lightweight so I could easily carry it around compared to others I’ve tried. It was also compact making it small enough to pack into the car alongside everything else you need when going away with a little one! Once I’d done the initial set up of the cot, it was easy to put together and to take apart too.

How did this product make your life easier?

Joanne:  This cot is lightweight and compact. When it came to packing up the car for the holiday it didn't take up much room. I didn't need any help to carry or move it. As it is lightweight it is easy to keep in the car and move between grandparents and friends houses as and when it is needed.

Ruth:  This travel cot made my life easier because it was easy for me to transport. It is so light and I was able to put it together myself. This meant I could get it set up and get the baby settled. It easily fit back in the bag to transport it which hardly any product ever does.

Sabina:  When having sleepovers at relatives houses, this cot is super easy to transport on-the-go. It gives me peace of mind that my little one has a safe, comfortable place to sleep. It’s light and compact so I don’t have to worry about it taking up too much boot space.

Would you choose this product to win?

Lucy: I love that it has a thick padded mattress! A lot of other products claim they have nicely padded bases/mattresses and it's nothing more than a piece of cardboard with foam! It was so nice for once to have something I felt comfortable lying my baby on without having to stuff lots of covers in there for padding. This led to a full night's comfortable sleep for my little girl. I love this and the fact I can see my baby through the net easily and she can see me. It is great value for money!

Louise:  I wouldn't choose this product above all others on the market, mainly due to the RRP. I don't feel that what you get is reflected in the price. There are other travel cots on the market which offer you more style and more function, for a similar price. If it were £10.00 or so less, then it would be a good buy in my opinion.

Ruth:  I would choose this product as I feel it offers value for money. The thing that makes it stand out is how lightweight and compact it is. It is definitely the best travel cot I have used. Once it is in its case it is really compact and easy to put away until you need it next.

What changes would you make to this product?

Tori:  I would add an insert to raise the height the mattress sits at. This would make life easier with newborn and younger babies meaning less bending down and struggling to lift your baby in and out. Other than this I wouldn’t change a thing about this product.

Sarah:  If you want something more robust then this isn’t the travel cot for you. It didn’t feel as sturdy as others I’ve had. The benefit is that it’s much lighter. There is no newborn insert and they are really useful when your child is little. If that doesn’t bother you then this is a good cot to go for.

Joanne:  My daughter slept fine in it, but I did feel that the mattress base was a bit thin. As it is stuck to the bottom of the cot it was also quite difficult to put a mattress sheet around it. I had to push it down the sides and hope that it didn't get crumpled up by my daughter rolling around in her sleep.

More travel cot reviews

Venture UK Airpod Baby & Toddler Travel Cot

SpaceCot Travel Cot

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot

Cuggl Maple Pushchair Review

Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot review

• Vita Devine

In a nutshell

A lightweight, easy-to-assemble travel cot which can also be used as newborn sleep solution and playpen. Slightly pricey but proves its worth with an intuitive, yet simple design and extended age suitability.

What we tested

• Quick and easy to assemble, stylish, sturdy but lightweight, versatile with three different uses, suitable above 15kg
• Pricey, muted colours, not easy to clean

Showing item 1 of 4

MadeForMums reviews are independent and based on expertise and testing. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our product choices.

The Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot is a tough piece of kit that distinguishes itself for its multitude of uses – as a travel cot, playpen and newborn sleep solution. It also prides itself on its innovative all-in-one frame that makes putting it up a breeze.

Created by luxe brand Micralite, founded by two engineers turned dads, the brand is known for its innovation and contemporary design and the Sleep & Go Travel Cot is a great example of this.

With an RRP of £150 it’s a pricey travel cot but it has a premium feel. Nice features include decent padding around the frame, two thick mattresses that form together, and a zip down hatch at one end for playtime, all of which awarded it silver in the MFM 2020 Awards in the travel cot category.

Vita tested the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot with her baby daughter who slept in it several times, first in the newborn insert, then later on in the main cot and she also played in the playpen. MadeForMums Consumer & Reviews Editor Gemma also tested the cot with her 2 year old to see how it performed for toddlers.

What are your first impressions of the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot?

I really liked the look of the carry bag it comes in, it’s a lovely thick fabric that won’t damage easily. The simple Micralite logo and stitching is stylish and implies quality. The four different parts of the product – comprising of the frame, newborn insert (sold separately £25, or as part of a bundle £157.50), and two mattresses that fit together to form the larger mattress – were packed in beautifully, and not in a way that you wouldn’t be able to easily recreate.

How does it compare to other travel cots you have looked at or used?

This definitely feels sturdier than some of the cheaper brands on the market. The most inexpensive travel cots can start at around £45, but they are generally not as robust and more of an ordeal to assemble.

I felt reassured by the base of the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot lying directly on the floor instead of raised like many models including the Joie Baby Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot , £99. However, other brands say they do this for ventilation in hot weather and to be draft-proof when it’s colder, so it’s possible the Micralite could be less comfortable temperature-wise, though we never noticed this as an issue.

It’s also a relief that the frame is all in one part with no tent poles, unlike a model like the LittleLife Featherlite Travel Cot, which while cheaper at £149.99, is more difficult to assemble and doesn’t have a newborn insert or playpen option. That said, the LittleLife is only 3kg to the Micralite’s 7kg, and it can even fit into a large suitcase, so it is much easier to travel with.

Other significant competition comes from the Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot. Slightly more expensive at £180, it can do everything the Micralite Sleep & Go can, but its mattress boasts two different levels of ventilation with a triple layered mesh, though it’s slightly heavier at 9.9kg and its zigzag legs are more conventionally designed.

How was the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot to assemble and how long did it take?

I found the Micralite cot super easy to put up, it’s simply a case of bringing out the four legs of the frame until you hear the soft but satisfying click. The newborn insert is slightly fiddlier; the zip needs to be lined up and attached to the mattress with four toggles in the corners, but this doesn’t take long once you know how they fit together.

Similarly, the mattresses zip together easily and I like that the newborn mattress can be attached to the other part of the mattress for the bigger cot. The instructions are a series of pictures that are easy to follow, although I didn’t really need them. That said, one of the MFM 2020 Awards home testers commented that it would be useful to have some written instructions alongside the images as further guidance would have been useful.

I timed myself and managed to put up the frame, zip in the insert, and fit the baby mattress in two minutes.

What is the mattress like?

At just under 3cm, the mattress is definitely thicker than you would get with cheaper brands. Although it felt firm to me, my little one had no problem falling (and staying) asleep on it, in the newborn insert. It is wipe-clean polyester and does not come with a sheet, so I chose to put a thin blanket under the baby.

Many online shoppers have commented on the thickness of the Micralite’s mattress, highly rating its firm yet comfy feel and remarking just how well their baby slept on it.

What are the standout features of the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot?

The pure ease and speed at which you can assemble the travel cot it is excellent. Additionally, the top of the frame and mattress provide decent padding to cushion any falls for use as a playpen.

I also like the hatch that unzips at the end for the playpen. This opinion was mirrored by an Amazon reviewer, who said her child enjoyed crawling into the cot before going to sleep, that she was able to cuddle him and save her back from bending over to place him inside.

My little one enjoyed exploring the inside when it was a playpen, although at 8 months, she kept trying to crawl through the mesh instead of going for the open hatch. Also, as a playpen I would have liked the mesh sides to be a different colour, as the whole thing is rather dark.

How portable is it?

The bag is not small (88x34x17cm) but given the robust all-in-one frame, it actually feels quite compact. At 7kg, it is about mid-range for weight, and the shape and handles make it comfortable to carry. Only the LittleLife Featherlite Travel Cot is significantly lighter at 3kg, which many online reviews even said was lighter than their baby bag!

I put it on my back and had no problem taking it a short distance while also pushing a buggy. There are also handy loops on the bag for attaching a longer, over-the-shoulder strap. When up, the cot is 67cm high, 112cm long and 80cm wide. This is almost identical in size to the LittleLife Featherlite Travel Cot, and slightly bigger than the Nuna Sena Aire and the Bugaboo Stardust.

The Micralite Sleep & Go compacts down nicely and being a relatively flat bag, is easy to store.

Would you use the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot from newborn?

Yes absolutely, the height and size of the insert is perfect for a newborn and with struts running against it, it feels very sturdy. I would be happy to use this instead of a bassinet for a small baby as it serves the same purpose.

The insert includes mesh panels so you can see your baby from the side if the cot is next to the bed. However, it does not clip on to the bed nor does it include a drop-down panel for night feeds that some other models do, such as the Hauck Sleep’n Care Plus (£79.99 on Amazon ).

One of the MFM 2020 Awards home testers also had a few small issues with the Micralite as a bedside cot, commenting that the tapered shape meant it didn’t hug close to the bed.

How does the Micralite Sleep & Go perform for older toddlers?

Consumer & Reviews Editor Gemma says, "my son, at 2 and a half, exceeds the 15kg weight limit of most travel cots, but hasn't yet moved to a toddler bed, so I was struggling to find a travel cot that was safe for use beyond that weight. Because the Sleep & Go mattress sits on the floor rather than being raised on plastic legs, there is no weight limit. Micralite advises that you stop using it when your child shows signs of climbing out. My son doesn't seem to be interested in doing this yet so this provides a really great travel option for us, lasting beyond most rival products but at a competitive price.

It is smaller than a regular cot, but still plenty long enough for my son (who is about 93cm tall). He immediately loved the cot and called it 'cosy' and he actually gets quite excited about sleeping in it. When he stands up it's clear he probably could climb out if he tried, but a sleep sack / sleeping bag restricts his legs enough that he doesn't even try. We used the cot for a week on a trip to see family and he slept well in it and never complained."

Do you think it is made to last?

Yes, I would expect this product to take a lot of use before showing signs of wear and tear, certainly more than budget brands. The fabric both for the bag and the mattresses is thick and the frame is robust. As such, I can see myself using it for two babies and potentially being able to pass it on to another family after that, with no concerns about its safety or appearance.

How easy is the Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot to clean?

The polyester fabric is wipe-clean but cannot be immersed in water, which could be an issue if you were using it a lot. This is the story with many travel cots, which are not machine washable, although the Bugaboo Stardust is the exception to this, which states it’s machine washable at 30C.

How easy is it to fold and get into the carry bag?

Disassembling the Micralite is slightly fiddlier than putting it up. There is a bit of a knack to pushing the corner buttons to collapse down the legs, as I couldn’t always push them in hard enough first time. However, now that I’ve done it several times I can get the whole thing down and into the bag in under 3 minutes. I especially like the little feature of a fingerprint icon where you need to press to dismantle the frame.

The four parts go back in the bag fine as long as you put the large frame in first, then everything else fits around it comfortably.

Many online reviews praise the Micralite Sleep & Go for just how easy it is to put up and take down and it certainly seems much simpler than many cheaper travel cots, renowned for being a nightmare to do either.

Is the Micralite Sleep & Go good value for money?

It’s certainly at the higher end of the travel cot market, but you get what you pay for in terms of ease of assembly, fabric and mattress quality, and robustness. It is also a stylish, if uniformly dark, design. It would be great if it was slightly more colourful and eye-catching for little ones.

However, I would say, it’s only great value if you use all three configurations of this product – as a travel cot, newborn sleep solution and playpen. If you don’t need this much versatility or you’re not planning on travelling a lot with your baby, there are other less expensive models that do a similar job.

Where can I buy the Micralite Sleep & Go travel cot?

It’s available from Micralite , Amazon and John Lewis .

MadeForMums verdict:

For quality, versatility, comfort and ease of use, the Micralite Sleep & Go takes some beating as a higher-end travel cot. It’s strong, light, it looks stylish and it can be put up in no time at all, even in compact spaces. Perfect for families who are always on the go, this clever product will withstand many years of family trips.

Read More...

• 10 of the best travel cots for babies and toddlers
• Best lightweight buggies and strollers under 6.5kg
• Best cots and cotbeds for babies

Product Specifications

Moscow Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

63 moscow trips. compare tour itineraries from 45 tour companies. 308 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular moscow tours.

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Winter

• Explore the majestic St Petersburg & Moscow on private city tours
• Admire the rich Russian history, art and architecture
• Travel to Moscow on a highspeed train
• Enjoy the local cuisine in stylish restaurants

Golden Ring of Russia

Lower Volga Voyage

• Visit magnificent Red Square and Kremlin and examine the collection at theKremlin’s State Armory.
• Experience Russia’s diverse musical traditions at lively folk music performances
• Explore Volgograd, the site of the decisive battle of World War II’s eastern front

Best of Russia

Volga Dream Russian River Cruise

Highlights of Russia

St Petersburg & Moscow in Style - Summer

White Russian - 7 days

• Discover Moscow's UNESCO-listed Red Square, home to spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and the historic GUM Department store
• Explore the grounds of Moscow's mighty Kremlin, with its numerous governmentbuildings, gold-domed cathedrals and the giant tsar bell
• Celebrate New Year's Eve in Moscow!
• Take in the highlights of St Petersburg including a guided tour of the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the remarkable Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace

All Moscow , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Moscow

Small Group Moscow Tours

Vodka Shot - 6 days

• Explore the beautiful city of St Petersburg, including the exquisite Church on Spilled Blood, Peter & Paul Fortress and Nevsky Prospekt
• Marvel at the dazzling array of art and exhibits in the world-famous Hermitage Museum, at the Winter Palace in St Petersburg
• Discover a lavish residence of the tsars on a day trip to Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo (winter: mid-October to April) or Peterhof Palace and gardens (summer: May to mid-October)
• Take in the highlights of the capital on a walking tour, visiting Moscow's famous Red Square, home to the historic GUM Department Store, Lenin’s Mausoleum and spectacular St Basil’s Cathedral
• Take a guided tour of the Moscow Kremlin, Russia’s political power house. Stroll around the grounds of this fortified complex, visit the Kremlin's cathedrals and see the mighty Tsar Bell

Route of the Romanovs - 10 days

• Learn about the last days of the Romanovs in Yekaterinburg, visiting the sites where Tsar Nicolas II and his family were assassinated and buried
• Straddle two continents at the famous obelisk Europe/Asia border marker in Yekaterinburg
• Experience the Trans-Siberian railway on an overnight train journey from Moscow to Yekaterinburg

New Year's in Moscow - 9 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo on Christmas Day and marvel at the incredible Amber Room
• Spend a night in Novgorod, an ancient city by the Volkhov River - explore the kremlin, cathedral and other sights and enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

Back in the USSR - 7 days

Russian Revolution - 9 days

• Visit historic Novgorod, an ancient city which straddles the Volkhov River. Explore the attractive riverside kremlin and experience a traditional Russian banya (sauna)

The Snowball - 6 days

• Visit Catherine Palace at Tsarkoe Selo and marvel at the incredible Amber Room

Mood for Moscow - 4 days

• Head underground to visit a Stalinist-era Soviet Bunker on an optional excursion
• Stroll to the vibrant Izmailovo Market, which lies behind the walls of an ancient Kremlin, and shop for an array of souvenirs

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Moscow reviews & ratings, capitals of the north.

some hotels could have been better

It was jam packed with every place I wanted to go and see. I especially love my photo of us setting out on the night time river cruise in St Petersburg and the Peter...

I really did not buy much and what I did buy was small gifts for others .

Johanna-Marie

Good hotels, some better than others. Interesting itinerary

Too rushed. Optional tour rather too short

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Fantastic Moscow stay

Not for the first time, was staying at the Sky Loft of Sky Apartments, and like always, a perfect stay !! Moscow city is a bit distanced from the city center, and may not be the best for a tourist who wants to be within a walking distance to the red squer , but if on business or nor really care about that, a much better stay then all top hotels in the city. A large and beautiful apartment, state of the art design, very well equipped , in a beautifully maintained tower ( the tallest in Russia) with a view you can not find anywhere (64th floor). The team's service is a the highest level, anything you need is within reach , in no time. After years in the crazy expensive 5* hotels in the center, i found a real gem that feels like home..a beautiful home :) My best recommendation for that one More

• Free parking

I found the offer from SkyApartments by coincidence. I travel to Moscow 4 times a year and spent the time always in 5 stars hotels. Very often these hotels are boring and in someway it is always the same. I booked a big appartment in the Federation Tower. Perfectly equipped with the most recent media, perfect interiors that is designed for business meetings too. The service was perfect and I liked it so much that the Amalfi shopping center is just around the corner. SkyApartments is a perfect alternative for business people who want the maintain their private style. It is cost competitive and trustworthy. Next time in Moscow I will choose it again

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