Are you thinking of a crib alternative and deciding between a travel crib vs pack n play?
Or do you want a portable crib but you’re not sure which is better of the two?
In this article, I’ve deep-dived into the pros and cons of a travel crib vs pack n play.
I’ve also noted down their differences and similarities, so it will be easier for you to decide which one is the right crib for you.
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.
Travel Crib vs Pack N Play: Key Differences
The main differences between a travel crib vs pack n play are their portability and price.
A pack n play can be portable but is still heavier to carry and move around than a travel crib.
A travel crib is lighter but it can be more expensive than a regular pack n play.
Below are popular recommendations of travel cribs and pack n plays.
Best Travel Cribs
(Check out my comparison review of the BabyBjorn Travel Crib vs Graco Pack N Play and Lotus Guava vs Baby Bjorn Travel crib here)
Best Pack N Play
Now let’s break down the pros and cons and why you should or shouldn’t, consider a travel crib vs pack n play.
Travel Crib
Works Best For:
- Families who often travel
Why You Should Consider It:
They are similar to a Pack n Play but lighter and easier to carry, a helpful feature to have especially if your family is always on the road.
They can also be a smart crib alternative for small spaces.
What’s The Downside:
Aside from it being pricier than a Pack n Play, they are set too low on the ground.
If you regularly experience back pains or you’re an expecting mom or you just had a CS operation, it can be quite inconvenient to put in and take out your baby in a travel crib.
Pros and Cons of Travel Crib
Pros
- Some can last until your kid is 4 years old
- Lighter and easier to carry than a pack n play
- Quicker to set up and fold up than a pack n play
- Folds easily for storage
- Breathable mesh sides
- More comfortable mattress than pack n play
- Can turn into a playpen
Cons
- More active kids can outgrow it quickly
- More expensive than a pack n play
- Doesn’t have a lot of accessories compared to pack n play
Top Picks for Best Travel Cribs
Pack n Play/ Play Yard
Works Best For:
- Families who want to save up on space
- For those who want a cheaper crib alternative
Why You Should Consider It:
It’s is a great crib alternative, especially if you prefer something a little bit smaller and cheaper.
We’ve had this for our baby when I stayed with my in-laws for almost 2 months.
We used this as a temporary crib solution though.
We used it until we got back to our house (where we have a regular-sized crib), and for our baby to stay in whenever we visit my in-laws.
It was portable than a crib so it was easier to move and pack up when not needed.
It also had a standard mattress so I could just buy some extra crib sheets for it.
It also came with a diaper changing table which was super convenient. I didn’t have to bend down too low to change her diaper in the pack n play or buy another diaper changing table.
And it can also turn into a baby jail! I mean playpen, lol.
What’s The Downside:
- If you want to use this as a permanent crib option, especially for an older, more mobile baby, you need to use the lowest mattress setting for safety purposes.
- If you have back pains and/or you just had a CS operation, it might not be so convenient to keep on bending over to put in and take out your baby.
Pros and Cons of Pack n Play/ Play Yard
Pros
- Can last until your kid is 3 years old (or older, depending on how mobile is your kid)
- Can fit regular standard-sized mattress sheets
- Can be folded and stored in a closet, car, etc.
- Some have wheels to move easily
- Can buy accessories separately (eg. diaper changing table, diaper stacker, toy mobile, etc.)
- Can turn into a playpen
Cons
- Some can take up some space, much like a regular crib
- Takes time to set up and fold up, compared to a travel crib
- Less portable than a travel crib
- Some have liners that are not removable for cleaning
- The mattress is thinner which might be uncomfortable for baby
Top Picks for Pack n Play/ Play Yard
Here’s some of the most popular and highly recommended pack n plays/ playards online:
Travel Crib vs Pack N Play: Comparison Features
Age
Both can be used until your kid turns 3 years old or can start climbing out/ getting out of it.
Size
A pack n play is heavier and usually bigger than a travel crib, especially with all the extra accessories that can come with it.
Mattress
Pack n play’s have a standard mattress size which means, it would be easier to find sheets for it, compared to a travel crib.
But the travel crib has a comfortable, usually thicker mattress, compared to a pack n play’s thinner one.
Ease of Assembly
Travel cribs are meant to quickly assemble and easy to collapse while a pack n play might take some time to set up and fold up again.
It’s not as convenient to keep unpacking and packing a pack n play, as compared to a travel crib.
Durability
Both are very sturdy but pack n plays are more trusted to be more durable than a travel crib.
Portability
Travel cribs are way more portable than pack n play, making it easy to bring them on trips.
Pack n plays might not be as convenient to lug around but some do come with wheels which makes it a little bit easier to move them around the house.
Although heavier than a travel crib, you can still fold up a pack n play and store them when not in use.
Maintenance
You can wipe clean both the travel crib and pack n play then just toss the mattress sheets in the washing machine.
Remember to buy an extra, waterproof mattress sheet for both.
Extra Features
Pack n play offers extra accessories that can be found in a regular crib such as a diaper changing table, toy mobiles, storage, etc.
It can also be a haven for kids to play in, as long as they can’t climb out of it yet.
Travel cribs don’t offer that many accessories but like the pack n play, it also has breathable mesh sides so you can easily see your baby.
Price
Some pack n plays are cheaper than a regular crib but some are as expensive as one.
Travel cribs, on the other hand, are generally more expensive than a regular-priced pack n play.
This best viewed on a desktop. Here’s the feature comparison of a travel crib vs pack n play at a glance.
| Features | Travel Crib | Pack N Play |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Can last until the kid is 3 years old/ can get out of it | Can last until the kid is 3 years old/ can climb out of it |
| Size | Lighter than a pack n play | Heavier and bulkier than a travel crib |
| Mattress | Longer and sometimes bigger than a regular crib | Same size as a standard regular crib |
| Assembly | Easy to assemble and collapse | Harder to assemble and fold than a travel crib |
| Durability | Very sturdy | Very sturdy, more durable than a travel crib |
| Portability | Lightweight and easier to carry | • Heavier than a travel crib • Some can come with wheels to move around easily |
| Maintenance | Wipe to clean | Wipe to clean |
| Extra Features | Travel bag | Can come with diaper changing table, storage, toy mobile, etc. |
| Price | More expensive than a pack n play | • Can come cheaper than travel crib • Can be as expensive as a regular crib, depending on brand and accessories |
Travel Crib vs Pack N Play: Which One Should You Get?
Both can be a great option for a crib alternative, especially if you need more space in your home.
However, if you travel often and you need something easy to carry and assemble and/or fold, a travel crib is more suitable for your lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a permanent crib alternative for your home, with all the bells and whistles that a regular crib has (such as mobile toys, diaper changing table, etc.), then a pack n play will be a better option for you.
Just take note of your priorities and consider your budget to make a wise decision between the travel crib vs pack n play. And good luck!
Best Travel Cribs
Best Pack N Play
