Babies Gear and Products The 9 Best Pack ‘N Plays of 2022 Keep baby safe at-home and on the go By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 25, 2021 Learn more</a>." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Rachel Gurevich, RN Medically reviewed by Rachel Gurevich, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Rachel Gurevich is a fertility advocate, author, and recipient of The Hope Award for Achievement, from Resolve: The National Infertility Association. She is a professional member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and has been writing about women’s health since 2001. Rachel uses her own experiences with infertility to write compassionate, practical, and supportive articles. Learn about our Medical Review Board Learn more</a>." data-inline-tooltip="true"> Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. You can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Verywell Family Once a baby comes along, parents suddenly need somewhere for them to safely sleep, at least one diaper changing station, and, as they get older, a spot for them to safely play. If you plan on doing any traveling, you still need all of these things, which can be particularly difficult when the place you’re visiting isn’t exactly baby-proof. Pack ‘N Plays are designed for all of these purposes. A Pack ‘N Play is a playard, bassinet, diaper changing station, or a combination of all three that compactly breaks down and tucks away into an easy-to-carry bag for travel. When purchasing a Pack ‘N Play, ensuring that it is safe for your little one is essential, especially if they are sleeping in it. Researching the many baby essentials on the market can be overwhelming, so to help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the best Pack ‘N Plays you can buy. An Important Safety Note If your child can climb out of the Pack ‘N Play, discontinue use even if they haven’t met the height and/or weight limits. AAP’s safe sleep guidelines for infants under 1 year include putting baby down on their back for sleep and using a firm sleep surface free of bedding and toys to reduce the risk of SIDS. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Removable Seat at Amazon Usable from the time baby is born until they’re big enough to climb out, it's also convertible into a playard for sleep or play. Best Budget: Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard at Amazon While it's simpler than other options, it gets the job done with its easy assembly and wheels for seamless transporting. Best Travel: Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib at Amazon Ideal for on-the-go families, the lightweight crib easily collapses down into a compact backpack so you can stay hands-free. Best for Toddlers: Joovy Room²-Playard at Amazon Perfect for toddlers who need a little more space, it features a flat mattress for play or sleep and mesh siding for ventilation. Best for Newborns: Baby Trend Nursery Center at Amazon A solid choice for newborns, it offers portability, mesh siding for breathability, and generous storage space for the essentials. Best Playard: Graco Pack 'n Play LiteTraveler Playard at Buybuy BABY Ideal if you favor versatility, the playard is usable indoors or outdoors and can be tucked into its travel bag for on-the-go use. Best Compact: Skip Hop Expanding Playard & Travel Crib at Buybuy BABY It can be set up as either a travel crib or a playard and includes materials for both sleeping and play. Best Ease of Use: 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard at Amazon Perfect for multitaskers, it only requires one hand to assemble or tear down this playard, and features a changing station. Best Overall: Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Cuddle Cove Removable Seat View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Includes a changing station Generous storage space Wheels make it easy to move Cons Assembly can be difficult Graco Pack 'n Play Cuddle Cove Playard Review This Pack ‘N Play has it all, so you can use it from the time your baby is born until they’re big enough to climb out on their own (or they reach the height or weight limit, whichever comes first). It includes a changing station as well as storage space for essentials like diapers, wipes, swaddles, and burp cloths. There is a “Cuddle Cove” removable seat with two carrying handles so you can easily move the baby into another room without waking it up. You can also soothe the baby in the bassinet as well as in the removable seat with vibration options for each. Once they are able to sit and pull up, you can convert the crib to the playard setting for sleep and play. This Pack ‘N Play is designed with flatbeds and mesh siding for safe sleep and all interlocking parts are covered with padding to avoid injuries. It’s easy to put up and take down with just a few button clicks and pulling up or down on the bottom of the playard. When it’s not in use, the playard tucks away nicely into a compact carrying case. Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 x 33.25 inches | Product Weight: 32.4 pounds | Child Weight Limit: 30 pounds | Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation: Not Listed Bassinet Dimensions: Not Listed | Child Weight Limit: 15 pounds | Age Limit: 3 months (or until baby can rollover) Best Budget: Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Pros Wheels make it easy to move Well-padded Compact when folded down Cons Heavy Graco Pack ‘n Play Portable Playard Review While this option has fewer bells and whistles, this standard playard will get the job done. It features a flat mattress and mesh sides and pads over the interlocking parts for safe and comfortable sleeping. The wheels make rolling this playard from room to room a breeze. With just a few button clicks, this playard sets up and breaks down easily. When it’s not in use, you can tuck the playard away into its compact carrying bag. Dimensions: 40 x 28.5 x 29 inches | Product Weight: 18.5 pounds | Child Weight Limit: 30 pounds | Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation : Newborn to 3 years old What Our Editors Say "This no frills option is the best bet for any family because it is easy to throw in your car without a lot of attachments. This pick couldn't be easier to set up and both of my children slept in this on-the-go through their toddler years. My youngest even slept in here for 5 months as a baby and he was very happy in here." — Dwyer Frame, VP of Commerce Best Travel: Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib 5 View On Amazon Pros Lightweight Compact and portable Made of non-toxic materials Cons Hard to fold Guava Family Lotus Travel Crib Review Ideal for a family on the go, this super-lightweight crib quickly collapses into a compact backpack for hands-free carrying. The playard sets up in around 15 seconds, it comes with a thick mattress that is cozy but still meets safe sleep standards, and has a zipper on the side to make putting your baby in and taking them out easier. Interlocking pieces are covered with padding, the sides are made of breathable mesh, and all materials are certified non-toxic. Dimensions: 46 x 31 x 25.5 inches | Product Weight: 11 to 13 pounds | Child Weight Limit: No Weight Limit | Height Limit: Not Listed | Age Recommendation: Newborn to 3 years old What Our Editors Say "This travel crib comes together insanely fast. It's really foolproof. Plus, it looks sleek when it's set up (no garish colors or baby-centric prints), which means I can leave it out more often. The crib folds into the included bag seamlessly and you won't even have to reference the instructions after the first few times folding it away." — Julia Warren, VP of Commerce Best for Toddlers: Joovy Room²-Playard View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Pros Generous space Includes a mattress and bedsheet Compact and portable Wheels make it easy to move Cons Heavy Toddlers need a little more space to play, which is why this playard with more than 10 square feet of space is great for them. It has a flat mattress that’s great for play and sleep, comes with a bedsheet, has mesh siding for ventilation, and is equipped with padding that covers all of the metal and interlocking parts. It’s extremely simple to set up and break down and packs away nicely into a compact carrying case. Dimensions: 39.75 x 39.75 x 31 inches | Product Weight: 29.6 pounds | Child Weight Limit: Not Listed | Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation: Newborn to when child can climb out The 7 Best Toddler Travel Beds of 2022 Best for Newborns: Baby Trend Nursery Center View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Generous storage space Wheels make it easy to move Compact and portable Cons Not machine-washable This Pack ‘N Play will keep your newborn baby stimulated while awake thanks to the attached mobile, and safe and cozy while they sleep on the raised flat mattress pad with mesh siding. There is a pocket on the side of the playard that’s just the right size for stowing away diapers and wipes. Once your baby is old enough to sit up and pull up, you can bring the sleeping pad down and remove the mobile for safe play and sleep. You can also easily move the crib from room to room using the lockable wheels. Set up is easy and requires only one hand, and when it’s torn down, it folds up compactly to easily fit into the carrying bag. Dimensions: 28 x 40 x 31.5 inches | Product Weight: 24.86 pounds | Child Weight Limit: 30 pounds | Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation: Not Listed The 9 Best Pack ‘N Plays of 2022 Best Playard: Graco Pack 'n Play LiteTraveler Playard in Breeze View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Removable and machine-washable Can be used indoors and outdoors Easy to setup and fold down Cons Not for sleeping This large playard is great for both indoor or outdoor use thanks to the removable and machine-washable fabrics. It sets up and tears down in seconds with only one step, then it can be tucked away compactly in its travel bag. The sides are made completely of mesh and with a zipper door on one side to make it easy for your crawler to get in and out. The playard also comes with a removable cover for the metal pieces along the top of the playard. Note: this is for playing, not for sleeping. Dimensions: 50.5 x 50.5 x 27 inches | Product Weight: 13.2 pounds | Child Weight Limit: Not Listed | Child Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation: 6 months to 2 years old The 8 Best Bassinets of 2022 Best Compact: Skip Hop Play to Night Expanding Playard & Travel Crib View On Buybuy BABY Pros Travel-friendly Includes a mattress and bedsheet Easy to setup and fold down Cons Not machine-washable This can be set up as either a travel crib or made even larger to serve as a playard by simply unzipping each end, and includes a flat mattress and fitted sheet for sleeping and a flat mat for play. All of the sides are made of mesh for safety and breathability as well as padding over the metal and interlocking pieces. The playard can be broken down quickly and easily and then packed away compactly into its included lightweight carrying case. Dimensions: 38 x 38 x 29 inches | Product Weight: 15 pounds | Child Weight Limit: 35 pounds | Height Limit: Not Listed | Age Recommendation: Newborn to 3 years old The 8 Best Baby Crib Choices for a Grandparent's House of 2022 Best Ease of Use: 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Pros Compact and portable Includes a changing station Easy to setup and fold down Cons Not machine-washable It only takes one hand and one step to set up or tear down this playard and bassinet, and when it’s collapsed, it neatly folds up into a compact carrying case. It comes with a removable raised bassinet and a detachable changing station that you can flip over when you need to use it, and out when you don’t. The bassinet and playard share a mattress, which is flat and firm for safe sleeping and all sides are made of mesh for air circulation. It’s a straightforward design with all of the essentials and the best ease-of-use on the market. Dimensions: 43 x 30 x 30 inches | Product Weight: 23 pounds | Child Weight Limit: 5 to 30 pounds | Height Limit: 35 inches | Age Recommendation: Newborn to 3 years old Bassinet Dimensions: Not Listed | Child Weight Limit: 18 pounds | Age Limit: Newborn to 18 pounds Final Verdict If you’re looking for something to grow with your baby, the Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard with Cuddle Cove Removable Seat has everything you need (and more) with a removable seat, bassinet, changing station, ample storage, playard conversion, and easy set-up and teardown. What to Look for in a Pack ‘N Play Safety Ensure any Pack ‘N Play you plan to use as a bed meets safe sleep guidelines for babies under 1-year-old to reduce the risk of SIDS. Sides should be made of a breathable material, mattresses should be flat and firm, and any included fitted sheets should fit snugly without risk of coming loose. To ensure your little one is safely sleeping, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not bedsharing, placing baby on their back for every sleep, and room share, if possible, for the first six months of baby's life. You also want to keep any soft objects, loose bedding, or any other items, like blankets, pillows, and toys, out of baby's sleep space as those all pose an entrapment, strangulation, and suffocation risk. Size & Weight Think about what you will be using this product for, and take its size and weight into consideration. If it’s going to be set up at home, something larger with storage and a lot of attachments will benefit you. However, if you plan on doing a lot of traveling, you’ll want something a little smaller and more lightweight for easier transportation. Ease of Use Ideally, you want a Pack ‘N Play that is easy to set up and takedown, with as little frustration as possible. Many of them are designed with one-step or one-hand mechanisms, simple buttons, or easy interlocking pieces that pop right into place. Getting the collapsed Pack ‘N Play in and out of its carrying bag should also be considered. Functions Not all travel cribs and playards are meant for the same purpose. Some convert from infant bassinet to toddler playard, some are strictly for sleeping, and others are designed only for play. Consider what purpose you need the Pack ‘N Play to serve when choosing the right product for you. Frequently Asked Questions How do you set up a Pack ‘N Play? Most Pack ‘N Plays have an interlocking frame that can be easily broken down or securely snapped into place, some with the use of buttons while others need an adult to manually fold them down then up. There is also typically a pull tab in the center of the bottom of the playard (which is covered by a mattress when in use) that functions similarly to an umbrella; when it’s pulled up the playard collapses into itself and when it’s pushed down the playard fully expands. Can a baby sleep in a Pack ‘N Play? As long as the Pack ‘N Play is specifically designed to be sleeping space and it meets all safe sleep guidelines, then babies can sleep in them. Before you use the Pack ‘N Play for sleep, make sure you are aware of age, weight, and height restrictions. If there is a bassinet attachment, find out if there are any guidelines for babies who can roll over. Why Trust Verywell Family? Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching, setting up, tearing down, and using Pack ‘N Plays. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include ease of use, function, quality, and customer reviews. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Pediatrics. Safe sleep: Recommendations. How to keep your sleeping baby safe: aap policy explained. HealthyChildren.org.