We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Family Travel The 7 Best Toddler Travel Beds of 2024, Tested and Reviewed We tested 20 toddler travel beds to find the most safe, secure, and comfortable options. By Mandy Harris Mandy Harris Mandy Harris is an editor, writer, and strategist specializing in lifestyle, parenting, and women’s wellness. She’s been a leader in the women’s lifestyle space for over 15 years, and has vetted hundreds of parenting and wellness trends and products for readers over the past decade. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 28, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOthers We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski Traveling with kids is an incredible experience, but also a challenging one — for everyone involved. And sleep can be the most challenging aspect of the experience. New environments present toddlers with distractions, temptations to explore when they should be sleeping, and at worst, safety risks. Having the right sleep setup can make the whole experience more enjoyable, and for many parents, this means investing in a dedicated travel bed for your toddler. The ideal one should be easy to set up and break down, comfortable to sleep on, and above all, safe. We tested 20 toddler beds in a range of styles for their ease of use, portability, ease of cleaning, and overall value, and will continue testing them over the next six months. Our top picks to suit any type of travel are here. As you’re perusing our picks and choosing your own toddler travel bed, remember: the actual sleep surface is just one component of better sleep while traveling. Keeping [a] routine is important too, says Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatrician at Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Trying to incorporate a regular bedtime routine can be helpful as maybe the exact sleep surface/surroundings will be different, the routine will be familiar,” says Dr. Murray. “Bath, brush, book, bed is a great routine (bath might not happen every night, and that is OK!).” Keep in mind that the picks below are for toddlers and up (at least 1-3 years old). “All infants (up to one year) need to be in their own safe sleep space,” says Dr. Murray. “For travel purposes, this will be some type of crib/travel crib. Nothing inflatable.” Remember to consider the age and developmental needs of your individual child when selecting a travel bed, and to make sure any product you use adheres to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety standards. Our Top Picks Best Overall: JetKids by Stokke CloudSleeper at Nordstrom ($129) Jump to Review Best Inflatable: Eltow Inflatable Toddler Bed at Amazon ($67) Jump to Review Most Durable: Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed at Amazon ($82) Jump to Review Best for Car Travel: EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Travel Bed at Amazon ($89) Jump to Review Best Pop-up Crib: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light at Amazon ($300) Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Hugbino Inflatable Toddler Bed at Amazon ($66) Jump to Review Best Folding Mat: Milliard Toddler Nap Mat at Amazon ($89) Jump to Review Best Overall JetKids by Stokke CloudSleeper PHOTO: Amazon $129 at Nordstrom $129 at Bloomingdales $129 at Saks Fifth Avenue Our Ratings Assembly 5/5 Portability 5/5 Care 5/5 Value 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Why We Love It This bed’s built-in pump is unique and user-friendly, with no potentially dangerous loose parts. What to Consider The product is pared down by design for safety and portability, which means it doesn’t boast any luxury features for the higher price tag. The JetKids by Stokke CloudSleeper earned our top slot for its unique design and ease of use. While many travel toddler beds come with an external air pump, this one features a hidden pump built into the mattress that’s operated by hand or foot — ideal if you’re traveling somewhere without easy access to power outlets. Setup took a little longer during our testing than the one minute boasted by the brand, but we still had it inflated and ready to go in less than five minutes. The one-piece mattress has a removable and machine-washable cover and a water-repellent bottom, and we felt like the whole mattress would hold up well to spot-cleaning. Stokke is known for its kid-friendly travel products; the brand’s ride-on suitcase and in-flight bed is the best we’ve seen. While the CloudSleeper isn’t designed to be used during air travel, it is small and light enough to fit inside your carry-on. This model is pricier than many options we tested, but its high-quality design and easy setup make it our top choice. The Details: 59.1 x 29.5 x 6.7 inches (open) | 15 x 11 x 4 inches (packed) | 3.1 pounds | Nylon mattress with polyester cover | Ages 3 years and up; up to 149.9 pounds Best Inflatable Eltow Inflatable Toddler Bed PHOTO: Amazon $67 at Amazon $70 at Walmart Our Ratings Assembly 4.5/5 Portability 5/5 Care 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Ease of Use 4.5/5 Why We Love It The mattress and bed frame inflate and deflate quickly and easily. What to Consider The bed gives off a strong plastic smell when it’s first unpacked. Inflatable mattresses can be a headache to set up without a high-functioning pump, especially when you have a tired and cranky toddler waiting in the wings. The Eltow Inflatable Toddler Bed comes with an effective pump, and had one of the easiest setups of all the models we tested. The mattress and the inflatable “bed frame” were both ready to go in less than five minutes, although we did note that a setup partner was helpful to keep the mattress from losing air after the pump nozzle was removed. This model’s mattress and “frame” with bumpered sides are two separate pieces, which makes it easy to tuck a crib sheet around the mattress. The removable mattress piece also means it’s easy to access all corners of the vinyl frame to wipe it down after messes or before storing. We did notice a strong plastic odor when the bed was unpacked, so we recommend airing it out before using it for the first time. The Details: 63 x 40 x 12 inches (open) | 10 pounds | Vinyl, velvet | Up to 310 pounds Most Durable Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed PHOTO: Amazon $82 at Amazon $70 at Walmart View on Hiccapop.com Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Portability 5/5 Value 4/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Why We Love It The bed’s double plug and included patch kit make it extra resistant to leaks. What to Consider The secure double plug can also make it tricky to inflate. One major disadvantage to inflatable mattresses? They have a tendency to puncture or lose air overnight. At best that leaves your toddler uncomfortable on a hard floor; at worst, it can be a safety risk if the mattress’s sides trap your child. This Hiccapop model impressed us with its durability and thoughtful features meant to prevent leaks. The bed has a secure double plug, which is very resistant to curious little fingers and unlikely to spring open on its own during the night. (Important to note: the secure plug also makes the bed trickier to set up than some.) It also comes with its own patch kit, so any punctures that do occur can be quickly sealed off. This bed’s inflatable “frame” is thoughtfully designed, with bumpers on all four sides and a handle for moving it from room to room while inflated. The vinyl material is easily wipeable, and the plastic odor on first use is milder than many models we tested. Overall, this bed is a durable option and a great value. The Details: 62 x 39 x 12 inches (open) | 8 pounds | Polyvinyl chloride | Up to 310 pounds The 15 Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best for Car Travel EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Travel Bed PHOTO: Amazon $76 at Amazon $65 at Walmart Our Ratings Assembly 5/5 Portability 5/5 Care 4/5 Value 4.5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Why We Love It The high-speed pump with a car adaptor makes this bed a versatile choice for car travel. What to Consider When packed, this bed is heavier and bulkier than most models. The EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Travel Bed is our pick for car travel, when size and weight are less of a consideration but comfort is still key. Although this bed is bulkier and heavier than most when packed, it’s incredibly easy to set up, and easy to fold back up and pack into its included carry bag. The high-speed pump is a game-changer — we didn’t need the included directions for setup, and the bed inflated quickly. The pump also comes with a car adaptor, making it a great option for camping. Like many inflatable mattresses, this bed has a plastic odor and needs to be off-gassed before use. The two-piece bed wipes down easily and the mattress is durable: the bed didn’t shift or deflate during our sandbag test. Because this mattress is on the heavy side when deflated, it’s best for older toddlers who are less likely to be pinned down if it unexpectedly loses air. The Details: 66 x 44 x 13 inches | 12.3 pounds | Polyvinyl chloride | Ages 3 years and up; up to 150 pounds Best Pop-up Crib BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light PHOTO: Amazon $280 at Amazon $280 at Target $280 at Nordstrom Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Durability 5/5 Portability 4.2/5 Design 5/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It We love this stylish travel crib for its easy setup and durability. What to Consider The price point may not be affordable for all families. If you’re traveling with an infant or a younger toddler, or if keeping your child contained in a new space is your top priority, a travel crib is your best bet. We love the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light for its easy setup and durability. It took us less than two minutes to set up, and once set up, the bed is extremely secure and stable. The crib legs lock into place, and the mattress attaches to four corner straps to keep it from shifting. Unlike some portable cribs, this one is very easy to clean. The exterior fabric and the mattress cover can be removed from the frame and machine-washed, and the rest of the bed is easily wipeable. Although this travel bed option isn’t as compact as an inflatable mattress, we found it surprisingly light. When packed into its included carrying case, it fits easily in a standard car trunk. This crib is significantly pricier than other similar options, but its durability means it can be used for multiple kids and handed down. The Details: 32 x 44 x 24 inches (open) | 19 x 23.5 x 5.5 inches (packed) | 13 pounds | Polyester, polyether foam, painted steel | Ages 0-3 Best Lightweight Hugbino Inflatable Toddler Bed PHOTO: Amazon $66 at Amazon Our Ratings Assembly 4/5 Portability 5/5 Care 4/5 Value 5/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Why We Love It This mattress is extremely portable and light when packed. What to Consider Setup requires two people to keep the mattress from losing air before it’s sealed off. Inflatable mattresses can feel bulky and unwieldy when deflated and packed, but at just over six pounds, this Hugbino portable mattress is lightweight and extremely portable. The mattress comes with its own pump, and is easy to assemble in less than five minutes. We did find that inflating the mattress was easiest with two people — otherwise it was a challenge to close the nozzle plug before air started escaping. Like many toddler beds, this one has bumpered sides to keep little ones from rolling off during the night; these bumpers are slightly lower than some models, so if you have an incredibly active sleeper, you may want to consider bolstering the sides with additional pillows or stuffed animals for security. We also found it just as easy to store as it is to set up: the mattress packs easily into its included carry bag. This bed’s small footprint when packed and light weight make it a great option for stashing at a frequent travel destination like grandma’s house. The Details: 63.6 x 42.5 inches (open) | 6.6 pounds | Vinyl, faux suede | Up to 100 pounds The Best Luggage for Children of All Ages, Tested and Reviewed Best Folding Mat Milliard Toddler Nap Mat PHOTO: Amazon $80 at Amazon Our Ratings Assembly 4.5/5 Portability 4/5 Care 5/5 Value 4/5 Ease of Use 4.5/5 Why We Love It This memory foam mat is an extremely comfortable naptime option. What to Consider The case for this mat has to be purchased separately. For a quick naptime solution, or for travel destinations where durability is key (like camping), a foldable mat is a great choice. This memory foam mat from Milliard is a light and comfortable option for toddler sleep. The mat comes with a removable bamboo cover that can be machine-washed, and the mat itself can be spot-cleaned as needed. It folds up easily and stacks nicely, but since it doesn’t deflate, it’s not as compact as an air mattress and does take up storage space. Milliard sells carrying cases for this mattress, but they need to be purchased separately. Because this mat is memory foam, it needs 48 hours with all zippers open to reach its highest comfort level before using it for the first time. The process is worth the wait, however, as we found this to be one of the more comfortable options for naptime we’ve seen. The Details: 58 x 24 x 3 inches (open) | 24 x 19 x 9 inches (packed) | 8.9 pounds | Polyvinyl chloride, CertiPur certified foam | Ages 3-6 Other Toddler Travel Beds We Liked These toddler travel beds did not make our final list yet still stood out from the pack. They all had positive attributes, but a few things held them back. Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series Pillow Rest Raised Airbed: This bed is durable and comfortable, and the price is hard to beat. But because it’s built like a standard twin bed — it’s on the large side, with no bumper or sides — it’s better suited for older kids versus toddlers. Guava Baby Lotus Travel Crib: We loved the Guava’s attractive and easy-to-use carry bag. However, it is heavy when packed, and we were torn on the usefulness of the zippered opening in the side, which makes the bed less secure for mobile toddlers. Ultimately we preferred the setup and breakdown on the similarly priced BabyBjorn model. Our Testing Process The team spent a day in our New York City lab, putting 20 toddler beds to the test. We tested for ease of use, portability, ease of cleaning, and overall value, rating each category on a scale of 1-5 and selecting top choices based on their scores. To get a sense of how easy these products would be to use with a cranky toddler on hand, we practiced setting up each bed one-handed, watching a timer closely — then did the whole thing in reverse and broke each bed down. Testers laid down on the beds, weighted them down with sandbags, and evaluated their durability. They considered the hidden nooks and crannies on each bed that might become filled with crumbs or worse, and evaluated how easy it was to get each one spic and span again. Our testing is ongoing for an additional six months to ensure each bed stands the test of time when used by actual children, too. Tips for Buying a Toddler Travel Bed Consider your toddler’s sleep needs The most important consideration when choosing a toddler travel bed is your individual child’s sleep style and needs. If your child is an active sleeper and tends to roll off of surfaces, you’ll want to choose a bed that has higher bumpers to keep them on the mattress. And if your toddler is a wanderer, you may want a fully contained space like a travel crib to keep them safe. If you can, try to approximate your child’s home sleeping environment as closely as possible. If they’re still in a crib at home, purchase a crib for travel; if they’re using a convertible toddler bed with a railing and high headboard, look for a travel bed with a similar cozy feel. Balance comfort with packability and safety A plush, soft sleeping surface might seem like a recipe for better sleep, but when it comes to traveling with a toddler, simpler is usually better. A thinner inflatable mattress, for example, will not only pack down smaller, but will be safer if it malfunctions and deflates on your child overnight. “Remember, many of the inflatable mattresses are made from thick or stiff material that a toddler might not be able to push off of themself,” Dr. Murray notes. “The thinner or more standard mattress size inflatable mattresses are better for those 1-3 years of age.” And most packable cribs have thin mattresses for a reason: a firm sleeping surface is safest for younger kids. “You want to choose something that is sturdy but has the normal safety features of a relatively firm mattress and stable sides,” says Dr. Murray. Match size, weight, and age recommendations to your child Most travel toddler beds have clear recommendations for age range and maximum height and/or weight for use. Pay close attention to these guidelines and match them to your child, but use your own judgment as well to ensure you’re choosing the safest option. Although most inflatable mattresses are designed for ages 3 and up, some will claim to be suitable for any age. If your toddler is on the younger side or moves around a lot while sleeping, you’ll want to avoid mattresses altogether — even those that claim to be safe for littler ones — and opt for a portable crib-style bed. Factor in your final destination Another crucial consideration when you’re purchasing a toddler travel bed is what type of environment you’re traveling to. “Are you staying in a hotel room, which is usually pretty sparse but might have loose or stray electrical cords? Or are you staying at grandparents' where there may be stairs that aren't protected by a baby gate or other low hazards since the house might no longer be child proof?” Dr. Murray notes. Travel locations with more potential hazards might require portable cribs or mattresses that better contain your toddler, whereas a fully childproofed friend’s or grandparent’s house might offer more flexibility for your toddler to roam and explore. Frequently Asked Questions Where should my toddler sleep while we’re traveling? Where you lay your child down to sleep while traveling will heavily depend on the age and needs of your child, your family’s preferences, and your travel circumstances. Some families choose to bring a dedicated bed for their toddler when they travel, while others prefer to co-sleep or use available extra beds at your destination (i.e., pullout sofas or cots). Also consider the sleep environment that works best for your child: do they need a dark, quiet room, or are they more comfortable within earshot of hustle and bustle in the house? Whatever sleep setup you choose for your toddler, make sure they’re in a safe, supervised location and adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidelines for safe sleep. How old should a child be to use a travel toddler bed? Toddlerhood spans a whole range of developmental stages — technically a toddler is anywhere from 1 to 3 years old. There’s no hard and firm age when a child becomes ready for a toddler bed, but you should consider where they fall on the spectrum of toddlerhood. “Those who are still close to 1 year old will need an environment that is more crib-like,” Dr. Murray notes. “A 3-year-old will have more escape skills and perhaps more interest in wandering, but can likely be safe in a hotel bed or pull-out couch.” Always consult the age limits noted on any toddler bed to make sure the manufacturer recommends it for your child’s age. How do I clean a toddler travel bed? You may not be in the habit of wiping down your full-size air mattress after every set of overnight guests, but trust us, you’ll want to clean your toddler travel bed frequently. Luckily, most products have accounted for this, and include either removable covers, wipeable surfaces, or both. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing to make sure the bed’s washability suits your needs, and follow instructions closely when cleaning to ensure the bed lasts. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Mandy Harris is a contributing writer at Travel + Leisure, and has vetted hundreds of parenting products over the last decade. For this story, she analyzed in-house testing insights, manufacturer details, and her own experience as a frequent toddler wrangler to determine the best toddler beds for every type of travel. The 8 Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Morgan Ashley Parker Morgan Ashley Parker Morgan Ashley Parker is an associate editorial director at Travel + Leisure where she works on commerce content and strategy. She has been writing and editing lifestyle content since 2007, traveling since birth, and shopping since she earned her first allowance. learn more