The 6 Best Portable Bassinets

Editor's Notes

February 19, 2020:

It’s hard to beat the convenience of a portable bassinet when you’re frequently bringing your infant on vacations or overnight visits with relatives. Many offer a lot of bang for your buck, like the newly added Graco Pack ‘n Play On the Go, which is a tried-and-true model that doubles as a playpen when your little one becomes old enough to sit up independently. It’s also equipped to serve as a changing station, and comes with some soft hanging toys to keep your little one entertained. It joins the Graco Travel Lite Crib on our list, which is a more compact version that weighs less than 20 pounds, and is great for travel, playdates, and even outings to the park.

We also added the Delta Children Deluxe in this update, which is not only portable, but also equipped with soothing music, vibrations, a nightlight and an electronic mobile, all of which will keep your little one’s interest as he or she drifts off into a peaceful sleep. This one will fit nicely next to many parent’s beds and folds up flat so it won’t compete for much space in a closet or your trunk.

The Happiest Baby Snoo also comes on board, which offers a handy companion app you can download on your smartphone to track your baby’s sleep and adjust the vibrations and sound. It comes with the mattress, a cotton fitted sheet, and three Snoo sleep sacks (in small, medium, and large). This bassinet was created by Dr. Harvey Karp, who is the author of the bestselling book, “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” which we highly recommend, incidentally, for any harried, sleep-deprived new parent.

In this update, we ensured all the selections comply with standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and passed muster with new parents, who expect nothing but the best for their precious bundles of joy. For safety’s sake, always put your infant to sleep on his or her back, and no matter which product you choose, make sure it’s certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

August 12, 2019:

When it comes to baby products, we are hyper-focused on safety. We do our best to ensure any product we recommend will never cause your little bundle of joy harm. That being said, it is still vital that you always follow the manufacturer's usage recommendations and weight guidelines. You should also use your own judgement to ensure any product is suitable for your particular child's needs before making a purchase.

As a general rule of thumb, babies should be transitioned to cribs once they are able to roll over or push themselves up. For some, this may be as young as three months of age, while for others it may be five months or even slightly older. Exception to this are bassinets that are specifically designed to transition with children as they grow, such as the Graco Pack 'n Play Playard Travel Lite, which turns into a pack n' play designed to accommodate kids under 35 inches tall.

If you want something that works equally as well as a co-sleeper as it does for travel, you'll want to take a look at the SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper, Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Peak, and LulyBoo Bassinet To-Go. All three of these are very easy to transport, but the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Peak takes it a step further by integrating backpack straps for hands-free carrying. We have to give the SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper credit too, for including a clip-on sound, light, and vibration unit. The Evenflo Loft is also equipped with a Bluetooth-capable speaker and nightlight, however it is a floor-standing model, rather than something you can place in the bed alongside you.

Other units that have standout features are the MiClassic MH10, which offers rocking and stationary modes, and the ComfyBumpy Travel and Dream On Me Karley, which both have a flip-up mosquito net.