Best Portable Bassinets (Travel Light for Parents On The Go!)

Overwhelmed about looking for the best portable bassinets?

There are a ton of travel bassinets out there and it can be quite tricky to choose which one would suit your needs.

Some seem perfect but are out of your budget.

While some are super affordable but might not be the ideal bassinet you’re looking for.

In this article, I’ve listed down the most popular portable travel bassinets, which are highly recommended by a lot of parents themselves.

These are all safe for overnight sleep, and not just for napping!

Here you’ll see each of their pros, and cons, and how convenient they are for traveling.

And what parents are saying about them, most importantly.

You’ll also get some ideas on how great or not these bassinets are for car travel, plane travel, carrying up the stairs, and whatnot.

Let’s start with a quick comparison guide on their features below.

I hope you’ll love the products we recommend! Just a quick note: if you click on a product link below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

Feature Comparison Table: Best Portable Bassinets

This is best viewed on a desktop. Here’s a quick comparison guide on the features of the best portable bassinets.

BrandWeightEasy to AssembleTravel Bag
Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit and Crib15 lbs/6.8 kg YesAvailable
Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot5kg / 11.5lbsYesAvailable
Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet12 lbs or 5.4 kgYesAvailable
Dream On Me Karley Bassinet12.4lbs or 5.6kgYesNot Available
Dream On Me Traveler Portable Bassinet15lbs/ 6.8kgYesAvailable
Dream On Me Poppy Traveler Portable Bassinet15lbs/ 6.8kgYesAvailable
Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet24.9lbs/ 11.2kgSort OfNot Available
Ingenuity Foldaway Rocking Bassinet18.34 lbs/ 8.3kgYesAvailable

Check out more details on their features below.

8 Best Portable Bassinets For Parents On-The-Go

Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit and Crib

Guava Lotus Portable Bassinet Kit and Crib

This is the most mentioned, most highly recommended bassinet amongst parents online.

It’s not as cheap compared to other bassinets. 

But it’s worth it, as you can use it for your newborn as a bassinet. And then transform it into a crib for your mobile, active toddler!

The Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit and Crib weighs 15 lbs/6.8 kg, which includes its airport-friendly backpack. 

Which is pretty light, considering that it’s quite sturdy and can be turned into a bassinet/ crib! 

The backpack, which measures 24″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H is also a BIG plus for parents. 

You can easily check it in as carry-on luggage – no need to worry about checking it in and the airline losing it!

It’s also pretty easy to assemble and disassemble. And again, it’s one of the most highly recommended travel bassinets/ cribs for a lot of parents.

  • Weight: 15 lbs/6.8 kg (Including Bag)
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes 
  • Travel Bag: Included
  • Use Until: Kid is 3 years old

Check out a more detailed Guava Lotus travel crib review here.

Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot

Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot

This is also a popular choice amongst parents.

You can use this as a standalone bassinet for your newborn, and a crib for your toddler, and like the Guava Lotus, it can also be used as a playpen when necessary.

What’s extra nice about it is it’s self-inflating & thermally insulated mattress! 

PLUS the bassinet can be scooched right beside your bed, making it easy for you to reach for your baby without getting out of bed.

It weighs 5kg / 11.5 lbs, (lighter than the Guava Lotus Bassinet) and comes with a travel bag, measuring 68 x 22 x 22cm / 27” x 7” x 7” all in all.

You can also check it as carry-on luggage!

I’ve read some recommendations from parents to get its UV/ bug shade which is sold separately, so you can use the Phil & Teds Travel Bassinet/ Cot for camping or for just hanging outdoors.

It’s also cheaper than the Guava Lotus but again, not as affordable as other lightweight bassinets.

  • Weight: 5kg / 11.5lbs
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes 
  • Travel Bag: Included
  • Use Until: Kid is 3 years old

Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet

This is also a highly recommended portable bassinet for those who just want a more affordable travel bassinet.

It weighs only 12 lbs or 5.4 kg and comes with a carry bag to conveniently pack and bring it anywhere.

The bassinet itself has some mesh storage pockets, so you can easily store small baby essentials like burp clothes or pacifiers.

I’ve read some comments from parents saying they’ve taken this only on road trips as it’s much easier to bring than traveling with it by plane.

But some have taken it on flights.

It’s also very easy to assemble and disassemble – you just basically take off the legs, put in the frame, and voila, you have a bassinet!

It’s also very small and doesn’t take up a lot of room. Which is perfect if you want to save more space.

Related Article: 17 Baby Clothes Storage Ideas for Small Spaces

  • Weight: 12 lbs or 5.4 kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes 
  • Travel Bag: Included
  • Use Until: Kid is 5 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

Check out a detailed Chicco LullaGo Portable bassinet review here.

Dream On Me Karley Bassinet

This one is one of the best portable bassinets when it comes to going outdoors with your baby.

It doesn’t come with a travel bag BUT it makes up for all its nifty features.

It’s super lightweight (weighs only 12.4 lbs or 5.6kg), making it a breeze to move around! You can move it from room to room, up the stairs in hotels (if there’s no elevator), and pack it for road trips.

It’s also super sturdy and has a canopy, which is great for sun/ bugs/mosquito protection. 

You can also use the canopy to keep your cat out of the bassinet!

It’s also very easy to assemble and disassemble. 

You don’t need any tools and you just fold and unfold and lock it in place.

It’s not ideal though for plane travel cause as mentioned, it doesn’t have its travel bag. 

And even when it’s folded, it’s quite big to fit in luggage or even a large suitcase.

I’ve also seen some parents comment on how thin its bassinet mattress is. 

But still, it’s one of the most popular and recommended travel bassinets for road trips or car getaways.

  • Weight: 12.4lbs or 5.6kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes
  • Travel Bag: No
  • Use Until: Kid is 5 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

Read a more detailed Dream on Me Karley bassinet review here.

Dream On Me Traveler Portable Bassinet

This is another great portable bassinet for visits to the in-laws or road trips.

It’s not exactly convenient enough for traveling by plane, as it’s quite big.

It weighs 15 lbs/ 6.8kg, which is heavier than the rest of the bassinets mentioned above.

And you can’t check it in as carry-on luggage.

But some parents are okay with it as they love this bassinet, because of its easy-to-assemble, lightweight yet sturdy features.

Assembling and folding it is very quick and you can easily store this away with no issues.

It also doesn’t take up a lot of space BUT some parents are happy that their baby has a lot of room to wiggle inside the bassinet.

  • Weight: 15lbs/ 6.8kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes
  • Travel Bag: Yes
  • Use Until: Kid is 5 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

Dream On Me Poppy Traveler Portable Bassinet

Check this one out if you want a super cheap portable bassinet!

It weighs 12.5 lbs/ 5.4kg, which is light enough for loading up in the car for weekend getaways or for moving around the house.

It’s also very easy to assemble and disassemble and convenient enough for storing as well.

The only issue that I see here is the metal bars on the side. 

Other parents have complained about it because their babies can hit their heads on it, especially when they’re moving around too much.

And that the mattress folds in the center. 

Still, for its price and sturdiness and lightness, it can be worth it.

  • Weight: 15lbs/ 6.8kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes
  • Travel Bag: Yes
  • Use Until: Kid is 3 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet

This one isn’t exactly marketed as a portable bassinet. 

BUT some parents have recommended it for traveling, which is quite odd.

It doesn’t have a travel bag, you need to fully assemble and take it apart, unlike other bassinets that you can quickly fold and put together.

And it’s not exactly light – it weighs a freaking 24.9 lbs/ 11.2kg, much heavier than the other portable bassinets mentioned above!

But oddly enough, a lot of parents like to use it for traveling to family gatherings, quick weekend getaways, and visits to the in-laws.

Some even mentioned checking it in airlines!

So I guess it’s portable enough and for its price, you also get some soothing features to calm and lull your baby to sleep, which is convenient especially if you’re sleep training while traveling.

Related Article: Fisher Price Soothing Motions vs Halo Bassinet: Which Is Better?

  • Weight: 24.9lbs/ 11.2kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Sort Of
  • Travel Bag: No
  • Use Until: Kid is 5 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

Ingenuity Foldaway Rocking Bassinet

This one is not exactly lightweight for traveling (weighs 18.34 lbs/ 8.3kg).

And it also doesn’t have a travel bag.

But for its price, it can rock manually or stay stationary, whichever one you choose. 

It’s super easy to assemble and disassemble – just fold, pop, and take in or out the mattress. Which is, by the way, padded, unlike other thin, hard bassinets.

Plus some parents have brought it for camping! 

Some though have complained about the fold in the mattress. 

But other than that, parents like that it’s portable enough to bring on road trips, hotel vacations, and the occasional visits to the grandparents.

  • Weight: 18.34 lbs/ 8.3kg
  • Easy to Assemble: Yes
  • Travel Bag: No
  • Use Until: Kid is 5 months old or when they can push-up/roll over unassisted

What to Look For In The BestPortable Bassinet

Check out some important features to consider when looking for the best portable bassinets:

  • Safe and Sturdy

Look for a bassinet that has a sturdy frame that’s made from high-quality materials. Which has a flat, thin mattress, has a secure locking mechanism, and has passed safety standards.

  • Comfortable

A breathable bassinet with mesh sides is ideal to keep your baby safe, comfortable, and cool. 

One with an adjustable canopy can also provide additional shade and protection from the sun.

  • Lightweight

A good portable bassinet should be lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around. 

  • Travel-Friendly

It should also come with a travel bag for convenient transportation.

Ideally, it should also have multiple carrying options such as handles and shoulder straps. 

But that’s not really a deal breaker and having a travel bag is already good enough.

  • Easy to Assemble

A good portable bassinet should be easy to assemble and disassemble, with a foldable design for easy storage. 

Alternatives for Light Portable Bassinets

Here are some options that are not bassinets are still recommended by tons of parents for traveling:

FAQ on Best Portable Bassinets

Are portable bassinets safe for newborns?

Yes, portable bassinets are safe for newborns. Look for those that have met federal safety standards and test them out and see how sturdy it feels.

Should bassinets be portable?

Not necessarily, bassinets are not required to be portable.
But it is more convenient for parents to travel with a portable bassinet.

How long can a baby sleep in a portable bassinet?

Your baby can sleep in a portable bassinet for a few months, as long as they’re not rolling or pulling themselves up yet in a sitting position.

Do I need a portable bassinet if I have a pack-and-play?

No, you don’t need a portable bassinet if you have a pack-and-play.

However, it’s much more convenient to have one, as portable bassinets are more lightweight and travel-friendly than pack-n-plays.

Plus, you have the choice to have a pack-and-play in the bedroom and have a portable bassinet in any room you need to do chores or work in!

Related Article: 36 Ultimate Tips on How To Get Things Done With a Baby

If you’re also not comfortable using a pack n play for your newborn since it’s too big and sits low on the floor, you can just opt to use a portable bassinet first instead.

By the way, there are bassinets for breastfeeding that are also c-section-friendly bassinets.

Tips on Traveling With (Or Without) Bassinets

  • Rent/ Borrow from the hotel

Most hotels offer pack-n-plays or mini cribs so you just need to ask if they have one available.

Most offer it for free for their guests, so just remember to call up the hotel first, if you don’t want to buy another baby sleeping gear.

  • Get a Pack N Play instead

They might not be super lightweight or not comfortable for c-section moms.

But if you don’t mind those, then this will be a more practical choice as this can last you for at least 3 years or more!

Plus there are pack n plays that come with bassinet inserts, so look for those instead.

  • Join Facebook groups

Join Buy Nothing Travelers Network or Tiny Globetrotters: Travel The World With Kids and ask around if someone will be willing to lend or rent out their bassinets.

  • Keep the receipts

Just in case you’re not happy with your purchase.

Buy also the travel bassinets close to your due date, so you can hit the 30-90 day return window.

Best Portable Bassinets: Wrapping Up

If you have the budget now, I would highly recommend getting the best portable bassinet that can transform into a crib. It’s just more practical in the long run.

Like the Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit and Crib

Guava Lotus Portable Bassinet Kit and Crib

or the Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot.

Phil & Teds 4-in-1 Traveller Bassinet Travel Cot

If not, my top recommendations would be the Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet.

And the Dream On Me Karley Bassinet for their price, sturdiness, and lightweight features.

If you love this guide, then make sure to check out these guides on the Best Non Toxic Bassinets, Best Bassinets for Small Spaces, and Bassinet Weight Limit (24 Most Popular Brands).

Julie