Travelling with a baby can be a complex logistical operation, but there's one piece of kit you really shouldn't skimp on: a decent travel cot. While many hotels and holiday lets offer to provide one, you're essentially rolling the dice on a cot with a questionable history, an even more questionable mattress and zero guarantees of a good night's sleep for anyone.
The best travel cots provide a familiar, safe and comfortable sleeping space for your little one, which is the first step to ensuring you get some precious shut-eye too. A travel cot should have a rigid frame, a firm, flat mattress and no gaps around the edges. Just remember not to add any extra padding to the cot, as this can be a safety hazard.
With all that in mind, we've been busy putting a range of travel cots to the test, focusing on safety, ease of assembly and portability to help you find the perfect option for your next family adventure.
How we tested
With the help of a seven-month-old and a two-year-old, we tested a range of travel cots for size, comfort and safety. The toddler has a habit of swinging their leg up and escaping their regular cot, so we tried to find designs that kept them contained and content. We also tested each cot for speed of assembly and disassembly, and picked it up when folded, to see if it was something that could be carried around an airport.
Why you can trust us
Zoe Griffin has been testing and reviewing products for IndyBest since 2021, covering everything from home appliances to kids’ toys and everyday kids and baby products. Zoe always provides her honest opinion on products, based on real-world testing in her family home.
Leeanna Lock is head of audience for ecommerce at The Independent, and has written several product review features for IndyBest in the baby and parenting space, such as gifts for new parents, hospital bags and nursing chairs.
The best travel cots for 2025 are:
Graco foldlite travel cot
Best: Overall
Dimensions: L 119cm x W 63.5cm x H 68cm
Weight: 6.78kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 15kg (approximately three years old)
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Easy to erect and collapse
- Sturdy
- Strong base
This design is up to 30 per cent lighter than most other cots, which we definitely noticed and appreciated – you can easily lift it one-handed. You might even find it lighter than your nappy bag, which is a win if you’re carrying a lot of other luggage for your trip.
Erecting this travel cot was a joy – taking less than 30 seconds. All you need to do is unwrap the mattress, push up the sides, put the mattress in the bottom and it’s ready to go. Collapsing it is just as simple – it folds up super thin, too. We also liked the sturdy material and strong base. It’s a great price at £80 and it’s made to last.
Buy now £80.00, Amazon.co.uk
Red Kite sleep tight travel cot
Best: Budget buy
Dimensions: L 101cm x W 72cm x H 71cm
Weight: 7.1kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 15kg
Why we love it
- Budget-friendly
Take note
- Mattress quite stiff
This is the cheapest travel cot we tried but it’s perfectly functional. It’s safety-tested, comes with a carry bag, is easy to assemble and has mesh sides, to give you a clear view of your child as they rest or sleep.
It doesn’t win any prizes for design, as there are no frills – it’s simply a place to sleep. Plus, the mattress is a tad on the stiff side, so, you may want to spend some of the money you’ve saved on the cost of the cot on a plumper mattress. However, it’s still a very good choice if you’re only going to use it now and then.
Buy now £34.98, Asda.com
Mamas & Papas joie excursion travel cot change and bounce
Best: For entertaining baby
Dimensions: L 106cm x W 70.5cm x H 80cm
Weight: 14.8kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 15kg
Why we love it
- Excellent value for money
- Good size
This is a travel cot, changing table and bouncer in one, so, you can create a home from home for your baby when you travel. The bouncer is a decent size, providing a place to relax and play for babies too young to sit up. It even has cuddly toys for little ones to reach and grab.
The starry print, which is exclusive to Mamas & Papas, gives the smallest babies something to look at, to help them make sense of the world, and this also helps older kids relax. We suggest counting the stars on the mattress to encourage early numeracy skills in a fun way.
This cot is taller than most others we tried, which is great if you have a mini Houdini. It makes for an excellent play and sleep solution to keep at the grandparents’ house, and works out at excellent value for money, when you consider it’s three useful items in one.
Buy now £190.00, Boots.com
BabyBjörn travel cot light
Best: Lightweight option
Dimenions: L 112cm x W 82cm x H 64cm
Weight: 6kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to three years
Why we love it
- Easy to set up
- Kind to sensitive skin
This gets top marks for ease of setup. There’s no need to bend down or fiddle with anything on the floor – all you need to do is shake it out and then secure the sides. There’s a handy YouTube video showing how to put it up in just 25 seconds, and the presenter demonstrating it isn’t even going at top speed.
With this travel cot weighing just 6kg, including the carry bag, your back will thank you when you’re taking the cot in and out of cars or planes. Our toddler tester approved of the mattress, which makes for a cosy sleeping place. What we liked most about this cot, though, is knowing its fabric is OEKO-TEX-approved, which means all materials coming into contact with your baby are kind to sensitive skin.
Buy now £199.90, Amazon.co.uk
Nuna sena aire
Best: For breathability
Dimenions: L 107cm x W 73.5cm x H 74.5cm
Weight: 12.26kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 15kg
Why we love it
- Breathable
- Soft and sturdy
If you’re all sharing a bedroom when you travel, it may get stuffy very quickly, especially if it isn’t an air-conditioned room. We like how the Nuna sena aire addresses this issue, with its mesh sides, floor and mattress providing 360 degrees of ventilation, for ultimate airflow. The better a child can breathe, the deeper they sleep, giving everyone a more relaxing trip.
We were really impressed by the feel of the triple-layered mattress, which is designed to pull away heat and humidity, and will come in useful if you’re jetting off to tropical climes.
Its clever zigzag leg design pops open easily into a soft, sturdy dreamland and it’s one of the easiest to collapse – we found we could do it one-handed.
Buy now £250.00, Nunababy.eu
Silver Cross slumber carbon travel cot
Best: For style
Dimensions: L 112cm x W 80cm x H 67cm
Weight: 6.25kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 15kg
Why we love it
- Newborn inserts
- Stylish
The first thing to note is this comes with a premium duffle bag carry case, so you’ll look stylish when you arrive at your destination. Open the cot – with ease, as it weighs just 6.25kg – and you’ll notice the material on the top and sides feels very high-quality. The decently padded mattress caused our two-year-old to exclaim “I like this one!”
We really liked the newborn insert, which raises very young babies to typical bed height, so you don’t have to break your back lifting them in and out of the cot. It also makes it easier to nurse a baby and transfer them back to a cot. If you’re using this as a playpen, you’ll also appreciate that one of the sides unzips, so tots can crawl in and out.
Buy now £195.00, Argos.co.uk
Kinderkraft lovi 3-in-1 baby crib
Best: For fussy babies
Dimensions: L 88cm x W 61cm x H 85cm
Weight: 5kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 9kg
Why we love it
- Rocking motion
Take note
- Time-consuming to set up
- Newborns will outgrow it
While it takes a bit of time to erect this travel cot and rocker, there’s a very good YouTube video to show you the process. You can access it via a QR code on the instruction leaflet included, and it’s very simple to follow along.
The rocking motion is brilliant for little ones that need movement to settle, mimicking the gentle swaying motion of the womb. Babies are at a higher level in this cot, too, so you can pick them up and settle them down without pulling a muscle.
The only slight downside to this cot is that a baby will outgrow it within the year. That said, our youngest tester loved playing with the toy bar and three adorable hanging toys that come with it, so, while their time in it may be short, it will also be very sweet.
Buy now £61.90, Amazon.co.uk
Bugaboo stardust travel cot
Best: Two-in-one cot and playpen
Dimensions: L 64cm x W 98cm x H 85cm
Weight: 6.7kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to two years old
Why we love it
- Keep its shape well
- Newborn insert
Take note
- Mattress is a little firm
Setting up this pop-up travel cot was a total breeze, despite how tall and strudy it is once erected. We were surprised by how much the mattress kept it’s solid shape, with no crease or fold from being flat-packed within the cot and travel bag.
Parents will be grateful for the newborn insert, which raises babies to bed level. The breathable mesh is ideal for all seasons to keep baby’s temperature regulated.
The mattress is nicely padded for playtime but feels a little firm for bedtime. When topped with a matrress protector and Bugaboo’s breathable fitted sheet (£27.95, Bugaboo.com), we nailed baby’s recquirements for a peaceful snooze. You really do get more bang for your buck with this travel cot, as it doubles up as a playpen and lasts until your little one is two years old.
Buy now £225.00, Bugaboo.com
Halo flex portable bassinet
Best: Portable bedside crib
Dimensions: L 75cm x W 100.3cm x H 108.6cm
Weight: 6kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to five months
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Breathable
A lightweight and portable bedside crib is hard to come by, so, we were very grateful Halo’s offering ticked a lot of boxes for parents to get that reassuring ‘home away from home’ feeling when on the move.
It can be a daunting experience taking a little one away for the first time, especially when they are used to co-sleeping at home. We were delighted that this bassinet meant babies could feel just as close to their parents as they do at home. The mattress is extra soft when wrapped in Halo’s 100 per cent cotton fitted sheet (£16.50, Halosleep.co.uk), and the cot is surrounded by breathable lining to suit all temperatures, and enable parents to keep a 360 view of baby.
We have to admit, we did use this more at home than on our travels, as it was so easy to adjust the height of the crib for when you’re sitting on the sofa during the day or when you’re sleeping at night and want to comfort your baby quickly. The side of the crib lowers easily, with no need to stand up or hunch over. This is particularly helpful for mums recovering from C-section delivery as well as for night feeds.
An over-the-shoulder carry bag comes included but it is less sturdy than other holdalls we’ve tested, and one side is partially open, due to its drawstring closing, which didn’t feel as secure. The packing away was a simple enough four-step process.
Buy now £135.00, Amazon.co.uk
ErgoPouch easy sleep portable crib
Best: For summer use
Dimensions: L 80cm x W 49cm x H 27cm
Weight: 2.2kg
Age limit: Suitable from birth to 9kg (or when baby starts rolling over)
Why we love it
- Ideal for summer
Take note
- Short-lived usage
You can’t get any more portable than this lightweight pop-up cot that folds up as a small rucksack and weighs just 2.2kg. The mosquito net is ideal for summer babies, if you want to get some fresh air and let them have a safe daytime nap outdoors.
If you are travelling with a baby less than three months old on a flight, we recommend taking this one for sleeping on-the-go, if you get the luxury of seats with extra leg room. The backpack will fit neatly under your seat or in the overhead lockers.
The only downfall is this bassinet is only suitable until your baby shows signs of rolling over, so, it’s quite a hefty price for short-lived use.
Buy now £99.95, Ergopouch.co.uk
Travel cot FAQs
What age is a travel cot for?
This will depend on the cot you buy – bassinets are designed for newborns up to three months old, while larger options are available for children up to five years old.
Can a baby sleep in a travel cot every night?
It’s not recommended to use a travel cot regularly for a long period of time, as they’re not designed to support your baby’s development. Instead, limit their use for short trips away and daytime naps.
What to look for when buying a travel cot
You already have enough to think about while travelling with your baby, so, the best cots are hassle-free. They should be easy to assemble, collapse and store, while the addition of wheels and a carry bag should make cots easier to transport from A to B. If you’re shopping for a newborn up to three months old, a bassinet is the way to go – these are raised, to give you a clearer view of your little one during the night, while you can lift them up without the risk of throwing out your back.
Do travel cots need a mattress?
Yes – the cots themselves are thin and hard, so, a mattress is essential, though most of our top picks come with a mattress included.
The verdict: Travel cots
The Graco foldlite is excellent value for a lightweight cot that’s easy to erect and collapse, and we felt both our seven-month-old and two-year-old testers were safe in there. It will grow with your child, and provide a secure place to sleep and play for up to three years.
The BabyBjörn travel cot light also deserves praise for ease of setup and for the comfort of its mattress, while the Mamas & Papas joie travel cot solves three of a baby’s needs – sleep, play and hygiene – in one neat package.
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