Help Your Little One Sleep Comfortably With the Best Travel Bassinets
Traveling with a little one is not easy. While it means meeting new people and experiencing new things, your little one might become easily overwhelmed. The shift in routine and unfamiliar surroundings can quickly disrupt their mood making them grumpy and irritable.
A portable bassinet provides a familiar place for your little one to sleep and play in. This lightweight alternative to a traditional wooden crib features soft sides and a collapsible structure, allowing you to easily take it anywhere.
So, if you’re looking to travel with your newborn, check out our guide to the finest travel bassinets of 2024. We list and review our favorite options and highlight some important features to look for. Read on to discover the perfect travel bassinet for your little one!
Buyer’s Guide To Finding a Travel Bassinet
Bassinets are a necessary piece of baby gear. But not every bassinet is portable enough to suit your traveling needs. We’ve compiled the following buyer’s guide to help you choose the right one for your baby.
What Makes a Bassinet Suitable for Traveling?
Since you’re planning to use it for your baby, your travel bassinet has to factor in a number of things, including its safety, portability, the material it’s made of and its overall durability.
Safety
Safety is the number one priority when you’re purchasing a bassinet for your baby. You have to make sure that the cradle is safe because your baby will spend the night inside it. The travel bassinet should also have high walls and be stable enough to withstand uneven weight distribution.
Portability
Since the bassinet is for travel purposes, it should be lightweight and portable. Look for materials that are also easy to fold up. It should be large enough to hold your baby without constricting them, but small enough to be carried around and stowed away in transit. We recommend choosing a model that comes with a carrying bag.
Some airlines even provide their own in-flight travel bassinets for long trips, which can help to simplify things even further. Take a look at this video from summerwintermom:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRuwfFMd/
Material
We already mentioned that your traveling bassinet should be made using lightweight material, but it should also be durable. High-grade nylon and mesh are an excellent choice in this regard. These materials are long-lasting, breathable and capable of withstanding the wear and tear of travel as well as the movement of your baby. Plus, it should be cozy enough for your baby to sleep in comfortably.
Durability
A travel bassinet has to be sturdy enough to withstand the ins and outs of travel. If it breaks during a trip, you’ll have to find another solution, which can be stressful at the moment. That’s why you should prioritize bassinets made using lasting materials. You might also consider purchasing from reputable brands who have established themselves as reliable suppliers.
Why Buy a Travel Bassinet?
If you’re still hesitant about buying a travel bassinet, here are some additional reasons as to why this purchase is so important:
Hygiene
Many hotels and Airbnbs provide infant sleeping solutions but not all of these are particularly clean. Making your little one sleep in a dirty crib or bassinet is not something you are likely to do. Having a personal travel bassinet with you means that you have a clean and familiar place for your little one to sleep in. Plus, you can also bring their favorite toy or blanket to settle them in comfortably.
Better sleep
Infants can quickly become upset and irritable when taken away from their usual routine. A travel bassinet serves as a familiar space in an unknown environment. Plus, it ensures your little one sleeps soundly and comfortably, giving you the chance to get some much needed rest as well.
Keep a watchful eye
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a concern for many parents. From installing baby monitors to removing unsafe items from the crib or bassinet, many parents take the necessary steps to ensure their baby’s safety. A travel bassinet is a safe, secure place for your little one to rest. They often feature mesh sides that allow you to see inside so you can easily keep an eye on them whether your little one is sleeping or playing.
Our Picks of the Best Travel Bassinets of 2024
KoolaBaby Travel Bassinet – Best Overall
The KoolaBaby Baby Travel Bassinet is the ideal sleeping solution for parents of newborns. With its multi-functional capabilities, this versatile bassinet can be used as a standalone cradle, bedside sleeper, portable play area, or take-anywhere crib. Designed to fit securely beside parent beds, it features five height options, allowing for an adjustable height that works for most beds and even sofas.
In addition to providing a safe and comfortable area for your baby to sleep in, the KoolaBaby Baby Bassinet also offers convenience for parents. The simple tool-free setup, freestanding design, and four wheels make it easy to move around from room to room. The bassinet’s construction allows mothers the flexibility to take it with them during travels. The lightweight frame has rounded corners to protect your child from potential injuries. Plus, the non-irritating fabric material is super soft and gentle on your little one’s skin. This feature and more make this the best overall product on the list.
Pros
- Ample room for babies up to 8 months old
- Fits perfectly by the bedside to change diapers
- Wheels make it easy to move from room to room
Cons
- Thin mattress pad requires extra cushioning
Munchkin Travel Bassinet – Ergonomic Design
The Munchkin Travel Bassinet is a foldable cradle that you can set up and disassemble within seconds. This lightweight bassinet includes a carry handle so you can take it with you to the park, on vacation and even to visit friends or family.
Designed to be extremely durable and sturdy, this bassinet boasts a lockable metal frame with fabric sides and mesh panels for improved breathability and visibility. There’s also a soft mattress pad and a fitted sheet to complete the set. Thanks to its travel-friendly design, affordable price and simple setup, we’ve chosen this travel bassinet as our best overall choice.
Pros
- Ergonomic, comfortable design
- Folds flat for storage
- Machine-washable
Cons
- Only for babies up to 3-months-old
Dream On Me Traveler Bassinet – Most Affordable
Our next pick is a cute offering from Dream On Me. This travel bassinet features a crib-like design that your baby will find soothing when away from home. Simple and easy to set up, this bassinet folds down flat for traveling and storage purposes.
This high-quality option is made of non-toxic aluminum and features a lightweight yet extremely sturdy frame. The sides feature comfortable polyester foam fabric and mesh, which ensures adequate airflow. Plus, this bassinet comes with a padded mattress that you can remove if needed.
Pros
- Simple and easy to set up
- Comes with a mattress
- Weight capacity up to 20 pounds
Cons
- Colors don’t match the pictures
Fisher-Price Travel Bassinet – Most Durable
The Fisher-Price Travel Bassinet soothes your baby to sleep while offering you a clear view of your little one. This stationary bassinet can easily switch to a gentle rocking mode for sleep time. Simply push it gently to lull your little one to sleep.
What’s more, this travel cradle is highly portable. Featuring a foldable frame that locks into place with a switch, this lightweight bassinet is capable of holding up to 20 pounds of weight. Plus, the machine-washable sheet and wipeable pad make it extremely low maintenance and easy to clean.
Pros
- Includes a machine-washable sheet
- Features a push-style rocking mode
- Accommodates up to 20 pounds
Cons
- Mattress pad is thin
Flisko Travel Bassinet – Best Value
The Flisko Travel Bassinet is perfect for parents on the go. This dual-purpose travel bassinet with a simple folding mechanism features two levels. The upper bassinet level is where you can put your baby to sleep and the lower playpen level is for when your baby wants to play. This unique design is suitable for babies of all ages and sizes.
What’s more, this portable bassinet set is made using high-quality yet safe materials. Built on a solid and sturdy frame with soft mesh fabric sides, the bassinet is just the right size and comes complete with a foam mattress pad and sheet. Plus, it folds down flat and comes with a storage bag for hands-free carrying.
Pros
- Durable, lightweight and sturdy
- Dual-purpose design
- Includes a handy carrying case
Cons
- Only comes in one color
MiClassic Travel Bassinet – High Weight Capacity
If your little one likes being rocked to sleep, the MiClassic Travel Bassinet will be their perfect travel buddy. This bassinet can switch between stationary and rocking modes making it easy for your newborn to fall asleep. Plus, this cradle is extremely stable and sturdy with cozy mesh to improve visibility and ventilation.
What’s more, this is the only travel bassinet that can accommodate babies weighing up to 30 pounds and it is one of the most affordable options available. We also like this travel crib for its simple, straightforward assembly; all you have to do is straighten the legs and it’s ready to use.
Pros
- Features a gentle rocking mode
- Lightweight, portable design
- Made of breathable mesh
Cons
- Mattress is a bit stiff
People Also Asked
A: Yes, portable bassinets are definitely worth it. Change of sleeping space and unfamiliar surroundings can quickly cause your baby to feel anxious. Travel bassinets make your baby feel at home, regardless of where they are.
A: Yes, a Pack ‘n Play is incredibly safe to use as a bassinet. In fact, just like bassinets, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also regulates Pack ‘n Plays for safety and infant sleep.
A: Yes, you can bring a travel bassinet with you on an airplane. Just be sure to treat it like any other piece of luggage. You can ask the crew to store it in the cargo hold of the aircraft or you can stow it in the overhead compartment with other carry-on luggage. Some airlines also have dedicated bassinet seats, which you can reserve.
