A good travel cot folds in 30 seconds, fits in the boot of a hatchback and gives baby a familiar sleep space wherever you are. Here are our team’s picks, all available on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
In this guide
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BabyBjörn Travel Crib LightBest Overall | Frequent travellers | ★ 4.8 | $$$$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Lotus Travel CribBest Backpack | Walking + flying parents | ★ 4.6 | $$$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Graco Pack ‘n Play On the GoBest Budget | Grandparents’ house | ★ 4.5 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Phil & Teds TravellerBest Camping | Tent / off-grid | ★ 4.5 | $$$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Joovy Coo Portable BassinetBest Roomy | Newborn-only travel | ★ 4.4 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
What actually matters in a travel cot
- Folded size that fits your boot. Measure before you buy.
- Set-up time under 60 seconds. Anything longer and you won’t use it.
- Genuine flat firm mattress — not the 1 cm vinyl pad some brands ship.
- Mesh sides for airflow and visibility.
- AS/NZS 2195 (AU) or ASTM F406 (US) compliance.
The picks — reviewed in detail
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
Sets up in 30 seconds, folds back into its bag in 60. Weighs 6 kg, fits in cabin baggage on most airlines, and the included mattress is genuinely firm. The benchmark.
Lotus Travel Crib
Backpack-style carry case with shoulder straps. 15-second setup, side-zip access for older babies who need to crawl in and out. Genuinely the easiest portacot to pack alone.
Graco Pack ‘n Play On the Go
Third the price of a BabyBjorn. Heavier (10 kg), longer setup (~2 minutes), but you get a full bassinet attachment for newborns and changing station. Best for “lives at grandma’s” use.
Phil & Teds Traveller
Self-inflating mattress, mesh sides, packs to the size of a yoga mat. The travel cot you’d actually take camping or to a national park — weighs 2.8 kg.
Joovy Coo Portable Bassinet
Newborn-stage portacot with a deeper mattress and bassinet-height base. Outgrown by 4–5 months but for the first stage of holidays, the most comfortable option.
What we’d skip
- Travel cots with vinyl-pad “mattresses”. Too thin for safe sleep on hard surfaces.
- Travel cots without certified compliance labels.
- Inflatable “travel cots”. Punctures end the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Can a baby sleep every night in a travel cot?
Yes, if it’s an AS/NZS 2195 (AU) or ASTM F406 (US) certified model with a genuine firm mattress (not a vinyl pad). Most premium travel cots are designed for daily use.
Is a travel cot the same as a portacot?
Yes — “travel cot” is the AU term and “portacot” is sometimes used interchangeably; in the US the same product is called a “play yard” or “Pack ‘n Play”. All refer to a folding portable cot for travel and short-term sleep.
How big should a travel cot mattress be?
It should fit the cot frame with no more than 2 cm gap on any side. Most travel cot mattresses are around 95×65 cm but check yours specifically. An aftermarket replacement firmer mattress is a safe upgrade.
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