Travelling with a young child can be hugely rewarding, but it never fails to amaze me how much equipment such a tiny person needs. As a new parent myself, travel cots were something I hadn’t given much thought to before having a baby. Once weekends away and family holidays were on the horizon, I quickly realised how important a familiar, reliable sleep space for the baby would be.
With a suitcase full of toys, clothes, nappies and bottles, it’s tempting to rely on the travel cot provided by your hotel or holiday rental. In my experience, though, that can be a gamble. The quality varies enormously, and when you’re trying to help a baby settle in unfamiliar surroundings, having a sleep space they know and that you trust can make all the difference in getting a good night’s sleep (for both parent and child).
To find the best travel cots, I tested a range of models over several months with children at different ages and stages, including a newborn, a five-month-old, and a two-year-old. I assessed portability, weight, ease of assembly and most importantly, whether the cot had a firm mattress, sturdy frame and breathable sides that are essential for safe sleep. I also considered long-term value, comparing newborn-friendly bassinets with designs that grow into toddler cots, and even playpens. After countless overnight stays and trips away, these are the travel cots that I would happily pack for my own family holidays.
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The best travel cots for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Hauck dream n play plus: £64.96, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Graco compact travel cot: £40, Amazon.co.uk
- Best lightweight – Baby Bjorn tavel cot light: £169.92, Johnlewis.com
- Best multiuse – Icklebubba scout 3-in-1: £139, Icklebubba.com
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Hauck dream n play plus
Best: travel cot overall
Why we love it
- Compact when folded
- Quick to assemble
- Sturdy
- Doubles as playpen
The Hauck dream n play plus is a full-size travel cot that offers one of the largest sleeping areas I tested, making it ideal for overnight stays while also doubling as a spacious playpen. It excelled in my ease-of-use testing, with a quick folding mechanism and a mattress that was easily wrapped around the and the frame and packed into its carry bag without the struggle required by some rivals. Although it lacks a raised bassinet, the zip-open side proved useful for placing younger babies inside without lifting them over the cot sides. Compared with other budget travel cots, it feels roomier, is lighter to carry and is easier to pack by one person. It feels sturdy enough to last years worth of trips, and at £64.95 it is excellent value.
Key specifications
Buy now £64.95, Amazon.co.uk
Graco compact travel cot
Best: budget travel cot
Why we love it
- Budget friendly
- Spacious
Take note
- Thin mattress
This is a straightforward, budget-friendly option if you want a reliable travel cot without unnecessary extras. Compact when folded, it opens into a surprisingly spacious cot that can also double as a playpen. It felt safe and stable for my toddler tester with a sturdy elevated sleeping surface and breathable mesh sides. The main drawbacks are its 8.9kg weight and the thin-feeling mattress, which I found to be fine for short trips but less suited to extended use.
Key specifications
Buy now £40, Amazon.co.uk
Baby Bjorn travel cot light
Best: lightweight travel cot
Why we love it
- Easy to set up and pack away
- Breathable design
- Good size for transporting
Take note
- Baby sleeps at ground level
This lightweight cot lives up to its impressive promise that it can be set up in just one movement, taking less than a minute to fully assemble. Unlike others I tested, it comes with a durable carry bag that feels robust enough to withstand airplane travel. The firm mattress was comfortable for both baby and toddler testers, and it’s made with OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, meaning all materials that come in contact with your child’s skin are kind to sensitive skin. Plus, the cot material can even be machine washed.
The main drawback is that the mattress sits at ground level, so lifting younger babies in and out is less convenient than cots with a raised bassinet. Compared with heavier premium models, it's significantly easier to transport without compromising on comfort.
Key specifications
Buy now £169.92, Johnlewis.com
Bebeconfort soft dreams travel cot
Best: value travel cot
Why we love it
- Feels sturdy
Take note
- Thin mattress
- Tricky to pack back down
This large travel cot arrives neatly packed in a rectangular tent-style bag and comes in two parts: the frame and a mattress secured with corner velcro loops. Setup proved more difficult than most I tested, requiring two people, and while the middle support legs make the cot feel very sturdy and secure, the overall assembly process feels clunky, especially when refitting the mattress around the frame. The mattress felt thinner and seemed less supportive than others I used, resulting in a poorer night’s sleep. Choose this if your priority is maximum value rather than frequent travel.
Key specifications
Buy now £59.99, Amazon.co.uk
Ergopouch easy sleep portable crib
Best: travel cot for babies
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Backpack carrier
- Detachable mosquito net
Take note
- Can’t be used once baby can roll
Weighing just 2.2kg, this was by far the lightest cot that I tested and I really loved its backpack travel bag, which made it very easy and comfortable to take on all modes of transport. Marketed as a portable crib for travel; my testing backed this up. It unfolded in seconds, while the breathable mesh sides, detachable mosquito net and machine washable mattress cover all proved genuinely useful and practical features. The simplicity of its design meant that the cot could be taken anywhere and was used for naps on the go (even at the beach). Its biggest limitation is longevity as it is only suitable until babies start rolling, making it a short-term solution compared with cots that grow with your baby.
Key specifications
Buy now £99.95, Ergopouch.co.uk
Ickle Bubba scout 3-in-1
Best: multiuse travel cot
Why we love it
- Multiuse: 3 in 1
- Fast assembly
- Detachable toy bar
Take note
- Can be used until age two
This 3-in-1 travel cot is a versatile option for parents looking for a multiuse cot, combining a newborn crib, cot and playpen in one compact product. I found it quick and easy to set up, taking around a minute and simple enough for one person to assemble and pack away. The removable crib layer was a standout feature, making it much easier to lift younger babies in and out compared with ground-level cots, and my newborn tester adapted quickly to it. The detachable sensory toy bar is a nice addition when travelling to keep baby occupied, and at 5.8kg, it’s significantly lighter than comparable multiuse cots, making it more practical to transport. The main drawback is the slightly shorter age limit of two years.
Key specifications
Buy now £139, Icklebubba.com
Joie kubbie
Best: travel cot for mobility once assembled
Why we love it
- Multiuse
- Wheels make it easy to move
Take note
- No zip-open side
Smaller than other cots, this compact model doesn't dominate a room and the integrated wheels make it easy to move between spaces. With an intuitive assembly mechanism, it was quick to set up and I liked that the same mattress is used in both bassinet and cot modes without adjustments needed. Compared with the similar Bebeconfort calm dreams, it offers greater versatility, although stabilising poles must be removed from the mattress before packing away which I felt could be easily lost while traveling. There’s also no zip-open side for toddlers when using it as a playpen.
Key specifications
Buy now, Joiebaby.com
Silver Cross slumber 3-in-1 travel cot
Best: stylish travel cot
Why we love it
- Premium look
- Waterproof carrybag
- Multiuse
Take note
- Higher price
This is one of the most premium cots I tested, combining a newborn bassinet, travel cot and playpen in one versatile and sophisticated design. Despite being one of the bulkier models when folded, its sturdy waterproof carry bag makes the 7.65kg weight comfortable to carry and easy to get into the car or onto a train luggage rack. It excelled in my setup tests thanks to its smooth locking mechanism, clear instructions and secure zipped bassinet attachment, which felt sturdier than the Velcro or poppers used by rivals. Compared with the Hauck dream n play plus, it offers greater versatility and a stylish design but at a higher price.
Key specifications
Buy now £175, Silvercrossbaby.com
Joie excursion change & bounce
Best: travel cot for grandparents
Why we love it
- Excellent value for money
- Four products in one
Take note
- Very heavy
This cot really is a home away from home. Combining a travel cot, bassinet, detachable changing station and baby bouncer complete with toy bar and soothing sounds, it provides a full nursery in one package. The wheels made the 14kg frame surprisingly easy to move, and the detachable bouncer was the perfect solution for moving baby safely around the house while keeping her entertained. Compared with the Ickle Bubba scout 3-in-1, it offers more features at a lower price, however it's considerably heavier and much more cumbersome to assemble. Choose this if you’re looking for a cot that you can keep assembled at a grandparent’s house.
Key specifications
Buy now £100, Joiebaby.com
Littlelife arc 2 travel cot
Best: travel cot for outdoor use
Why we love it
- Very light
- Rucksack travel bag
- Anti-insect mesh top and sides
Take note
- Requires attachment to furniture for stability when used inside
This is a tent-style travel cot, weighing just 2.5kg and packing down into a comfortable backpack, it was one of the lightest full-size travel cots I tested. If you're familiar with putting up a tent, it’s very easy to assemble, and the colour-coded poles made it even simpler. Bear in mind that it requires more space for assembly than pop-up designs such as the Bugaboo stardust, and if used inside it needs to be attached to furniture for stability. My toddler tester found it very exciting to be sleeping in a ‘tent’, and the foam mattress enabled a good night’s sleep. This is ideal for trips where insects are a concern, as the breathable bug-proof mesh offers protection.
Key specifications
Buy now £159.99, Littlelife.com
Bugaboo stardust
Best: travel cot for fast assembly
Why we love it
- Unique design
- Fast assembly
- Machine washable mattress cover
Take note
- Expensive
This is a premium travel cot with a clever accordion-style fold that makes setup exceptionally quick, unfolding in seconds and allowing one person to set it up with ease. It scored points for its practical design – the quilted mattress could be used in both bassinet and cot modes, and it also has a machine-washable mattress cover. Compared with the Silver Cross slumber 3-in-1, it's quicker to assemble but the downside is its shorter lifespan – it can only be used until around two years of age.
Key specifications
Buy now £225, Bugaboo.com
Nuna sena aire
Best: travel cot for breathability
Why we love it
- Breathable
- Easy assembly
Take note
- Expensive
This was the priciest travel cot that I tested, combining a bassinet with a full-size cot. It excelled in my assembly testing, with a very smooth folding mechanism which made it quick and easy to set up. Unlike other cots, the bassinet has its own rigid frame which made it feel very secure and stable for my five-month-old tester, however when you’re ready to move from bassinet to cot, you will need a flat-head screwdriver to make the change. The brand promises that the cot provides 360-degrees of ventilation for ultimate airflow and deeper sleeps, and I did find this to be true during testing.
Key specifications
Buy now £250, Johnlewis.com
What is the best travel cot?
The Hauck dream n play plus is my top travel cot thanks to its combination of value, practicality and versatility.
If portability is your top priority, the BabyBjörn travel cot light is well worth the extra investment. At just 6kg, it's exceptionally easy to carry, takes less than a minute to assemble and feels built to withstand years of family holidays.
If you would prefer a cot with a bassinet level, choose the Ickle Bubba scout 3-in-1. It feels safe and sturdy, is easy to assemble, and is still reasonably priced.
How I tested travel cots
I tested each travel cot during overnight stays in the UK and abroad, as well as during at-home naps to see how they performed in real-life situations. My main tester was a five-month-old baby, while additional testers were a newborn and a two-year-old, to check how well each model suited different ages. I focused on the features that matter most when travelling with young children:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Isobel Bryant is a writer who has contributed to IndyBest’s reviews in the past including the best sandwich toasters. Now a mum, she tried these travel cots in real world testing environments to bring you the best products that are worth the money.
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