Having kids is amazing. But as soon as they join the family everyday activities become a bit harder, especially traveling and being away from home. As people, we are more mobile than ever. Leaving home for anything longer than a few hours feels like a military operation. Enter the Pack N Play. Pack N Plays are great for having a portable safe place for your little ones to play and sleep. This article reviews four different Pack N Plays to help you decide which is the best Pack N Play for you.
Best Pack N Play – Top 4 Comparison Chart
- PLS Rating:
- 85/100
- PLS Rating:
- 79/100
- PLS Rating:
- 82/100
- PLS Rating:
- 83/100
Table Of Contents
- Things To Consider When Buying A Pack N Play
- Benefits of A Pack N Play
- Best Pack N Play Reviews
- Conclusion
Things To Consider When Buying A Pack N Play
Pack N Plays are really handy both at home and if you’re traveling. They’re a great place for your little to sleep, relax, or a safe spot to put them down whilst you get ready for the day. But, how do you pick the best Pack n Play for you?
The next seven points should be the main things you consider before parting with your hard warbled money.
Features
Pack N Plays often come with different features. Stuff like changing tables, mobiles, baby seats, bouncers, some even have soothing vibration functions. You should think about how you’re going to use your Pack N Play and whether those features are worth the extra cost.
Setup And Fold
Being able to quickly pop up and put down a Pack N Play is what makes them so versatile. The folding mechanism of Pack n Plays are all different. If you’re going to use it so that you can travel with your little one then look for a Pack N Play which is easy to put up and down.
Weight
Again, if you’re going to be doing a lot traveling then you should look for a lightweight Pack N Play. Some of them can be surprisingly heavy. Getting them in and out of the car can be hard work. Some do come with wheels on so they can be pulled along like a suitcase.
Size
How big do you need the Pack N Play to be? There are two things to think about here. The first, how big do you want it to be for your little one. The bigger it is the longer it will be useful as your little one grows. Second, how big do you want it to be for your home or car, etc?
Durability
Durability’s important for everyone. Some Pack N Plays can be a serious investment, and you want to know that it’s going last. Look for hardwearing materials and if possible the ability to buy replacement parts in case they get worn out.
Comfort and Cleaning
Having an uncomfortable Pack N Play would be pretty useless. You want your Pack N Play to be comfortable so your little can sleep and play happily. Look for soft and breathable fabrics, firm padding and options for different mattresses.
It’s also worth thinking about cleaning. Babies are messy little monkeys, and your Pack N Play’s probably going to take some punishment. You should ideally be able to wash the different bits of the Pack N Play easily.
Safety
Despite being last on this list safety is probably the most important. Before you decide on your Pack N Play, you want to 100% confident that it will be a safe and secure place for your little one.
Benefits of a Pack N Play
Undecided if a Pack N Play is worth it? Here are some of the benefits of a Pack N Play for you and your little one.
Hands-Free Safe Space
Pack N Plays are really handy if you need put your little one down to quickly get something done. They can be used as a crib or as a play area. They are intended for travel but you can put them up at home as another place for your baby to nap away from the crib.
Useful for Babies, Infants, and Toddlers
Pack N Plays often come with sleeper inserts for babies. These inserts are like a raised platform so its easier to put down and pick up your little one. Once they’re old enough you can take out the sleeper insert. Then you can use the Pack n Play as a safe play area or mobile crib.
Consistent Sleeping Environment
Kids need consistency when they’re snoozing. if you’re away from home, relying on a hotel or a family member’s old crib can be a high stakes gamble for a good nights sleep. Pack N Plays mean that your little one will be in a familiar environment even when they’re away from home.
Mobiles, Changing Tables or Soothing Vibration
Some parents find the Pack n Plays with changing stations to very useful. An extra changing table in the living room or another room in the house can be a lifesaver. Having a mobile or vibrating mat in the Pack N Play can also help your little one drift off to sleep.
Best Pack N Play Reviews
We took a look at four of the most popular Pack N Plays available today: They are the:
- Graco Pack n Play On the Go
- Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard
- Evenflo Portable BabySuite Deluxe
- Lotus Travel Crib and Portable Baby Playard
Graco Pack n Play On the Go Review
| PLS Rating 85/100 | Overview Very easy to put up and down Comes with a bassinette Very durable and robust |
The Good
The Pack N Play On the Go features Graco signature Push-Button Technology. Which means it’s super easy to put up and down. To set up, just straighten all of the handrails until the lock and push the base down. To collapse, all you’ve got to do is push the buttons in the middle of each of the handrails and pull the red chord at the base. Easy Peazy for you. Two of the corners also have wheels. So you can easily move it around easily when its set up and also so you can drag it like a suitcase when its folded.
Two of the corners also have wheels. So you can easily move it around easily when it’s set up and also so you can drag it like a suitcase when its folded.
The Pack N Play on the Go also comes with a bassinette insert so its safe for newborns. When your little one gets a bit bigger you can take it out to make more space.
The Bad
Unfortunately, the base of the Pack N Play on the Go is a bit thin. To make it more comfortable for your little one you might want to invest in a more comfortable mattress.
Also, although the folding mechanism is very easy. When folded the Pack N Play on the Go is pretty bulky for traveling by plane.
Overall Verdict
The Pack N Play on the Go is versatile, durable and comfortable for your little one. It is a bit heavy and bulky so if you’re a frequent flyer you might look for a more portable Pack N Play. Overall the Graco Pack n Play On the Go playard is a great all-rounder and would be a great choice for most families.
Evenflo Portable BabySuite Deluxe Review
| PLS Rating 79/100 | Overview Huge range of extra features Including Bassinette, toy bar, Changing table, and floor mat. |
The Good
More than just a playard for toddlers, the Evenflo Portable BabySuite is packed with features. It comes with a bassinette for babies nap times, a toy bar, a baby changing table, a removable floor mat for playtime and loads of storage pockets. With these accessories, the Portable BabySuite is ideal if you have younger babies. The Portable Babysuite also adapts when you take accessories off as your little one grows.
To fold the BabySuite up, remove all the inserts and there is a pull strap in the middle of the base. Pull the strap to lift the base a little, then fold all of the sides down with the buttons, then pull the strap right all the way up to bring the frame together. Pretty simple. The BabySuite comes with a carry bag for travel.
It’s got two wheels so you can easily move the BabySuite around when its set up. You can lock the wheels to stop the BabySuite moving around.
The Bad
Yes, BabySuite Deluxe is really versatile, but it’s not perfect. The assembly instructions which come with the BabySuite could do with some more detail. Putting it together initially can be frustrating.
The build quality of the BabySuite could be a bit better. Some of the parts don’t seem as strong as they could be and the fabrics and stitching can wear out quickly.
Comfort for the little ones could also be improved. There padding could be made a bit thicker, and the post in the middle of the base can poke up a little bit.
Overall Verdict
Because of its versatility, the Evenflo Portable Babysuite Deluxe is a great all-round Pack N Play. It’s a good investment if you have younger babies as you can use it as your baby grows.
There are some durability/quality issues with the BabySuite but it is priced at the budget region of the Pack N Plays available.
Joovy New Room 2 Portable Playard Review
| PLS Rating 82/100 | Overview Huge space, enough for 2 babies Low center of gravity Waterproof fitted sheet for accidents |
The Good
The Joovy Room2 Portable Playard is very very spacious. At 10 sq.ft, the Joovy Room2 has enough space for two babies to play and sleep. This makes it perfect for anyone with twins. A low center of gravity and solid materials make the Room 2 feels rock solid when its set up. Which it needs to be if its hosting two little ones. Mesh side panels give you a 360° view of your little one as they play or sleep.
Like other Pack N Plays setting up and folding down the Room2 is easy with pull chord in the base and folding sides. The two wheels make it easy for you to move the playard around.
It’s got a well-padded mattress so it’s nice and soft for your little one(s) to lie down. Just in case there are any accidents there is also a waterproof fitted sheet for the mattress.
The Bad
Being very very spacious is great, but it might not be ideal if have limited space. Another consequence of the large space is the Joovy Room2 is quite bulky and heavy when folded up. If your a frequent traveler lugging it in and out of your car or around the airport might be a chore.
Finally, fitting the bottom sheet can be a downside. The sheet may shrink over time and end up not fitting the mattress. Having to buy another isn’t the end of the world but would be quite annoying given the Joovys Room2 is median
Overall Verdict
The Joovy Room2 Portable Playard is best Pack n Play for twins as it features a 10sq.ft space and a low center of gravity. A heavy-duty mattress soft cotton sheet and large mesh windows complete the package.
Lotus Travel Crib and Portable Baby Playard Review
| PLS Rating 83/100 | Overview Super portable Rucksack carry case Mesh zip side door |
The Good
The Lotus travel crib and portable playard is definitely for parents who travel. It’s got a completely different type of folding mechanism than any of the other Pack N Plays here. Around the top of the Lotus is a rectangular frame which folds in on itself. Attached to the frame are four legs which fold in half. There is no frame at the bottom, so the base of the Pack N Play rests on the floor/ground.
Popping the crib out of the carry case and setting it up only takes 15 seconds. Weighing in at only 11 pounds and having a carry case that doubles as a rucksack, it’s perfect if you’re a frequent flyer.
All of the sides of the Lotus are made from a mesh material, so you can see your little one nap or play. The lotus also has a mesh zip door on one side for playtime access. The base mattress is also very soft and comfortable.
The Bad
The folding mechanism of the Lotus travel crib is what makes it unique. Setting it up is easy, but folding it up and getting it back into the travel bag can be a challenge.
Unfortunately, the mattress is not a standard size, which means you need to buy Guava brand sheets if you need any more.
Lastly, compared to the other Pack N Plays here, the Lotus doesn’t come with any bonus features like a changing table or mobiles. There is a bassinette available for the Lotus but that’s sold separately.
Overall Verdict
The Lotus travel crib and portable playard is definitely the best Pack N Play for traveling. The lotus is one of the more expensive Pack N Plays here but if you’re a frequent flyer it’ll be a worthy investment.
Best Pack N Play Conclusion
So that wraps up the peaceful little sleepers review of the best Pack n Plays. Each of the four Pack N Plays in this review have real plus points which will suit different families.
We found the Graco Pack n Play On the Go to be the best Pack N Play allrounder. The Evenflo Portable BabySuite Deluxe was the best Pack N Play for extra features. The best Pack n Play for twins is definitely the Joovy New Room2 Portable Playard. Lastly, the Lotus Travel Crib and Portable Baby Playard is the best Pack N Play for travelers.
We hope this was useful for you. If you have any questions or comments, go ahead and post them below in the comment section, or email us!
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