Best Toddler Travel Beds

Whether you're ready to embark on a long road trip with your toddler or you're just paying a visit to his grandparents for the weekend, a safe and functional toddler travel bed is one way to put your mind at ease throughout any of your journeys. With the right travel gear for your tot, leaving home doesn't have to be stressful, and having a consistent spot for your little one to sleep every night will create a feeling of safety to help her doze off. And as a result, everyone will get more rest!

What's the difference between a travel crib and travel bed?

Unlike pack 'n plays which are portable enclosed areas for baby to play and sleep, travel toddler beds usually feature built-in bumpers and can be as large as a twin mattress. A toddler travel bed is the perfect solution for families whose children are in between needing a pack '-n -play or travel crib and sleeping safely in a bed. A portable toddler bed is designed to provide a safe, comfortable space for your tot to sleep on vacation. They're often inflatable and come with included safety bumpers.

In general, the best time to transition from a travel crib to a travel bed is when you've already moved your toddler out of her crib at home, sometime between18 and 36 months. At this point, they might have started trying to climb out of their crib, but they're still too young to sleep in a regular bed at the hotel. In fact, a child isn't ready to sleep in a normal-sized bed until they weigh over 50 pounds, says Leah Alexander, M.D., FAAP. A child could be 5 or 6 years old before they reach this weight, so you'll likely get quite a few years of use out of these travel beds.

What's great about these types of toddler beds is that you can create a cozy little corner for your toddler in the hotel. Toddlers love smaller, enclosed spaces that they're familiar with, so using these travel beds over and over will help give her the consistency and predictability she craves. After all, having your toddler catch those extra zzz's could make all the difference for your trip. Plus, if you're not ready for your child to be sleeping in a separate room when visiting relatives, a travel toddler bed is the perfect solution to keep her close.

Types of toddler travel beds

There are multiple types of toddler travel beds, such as inflatable and foldable options, and alternatives like tents and bed rails. You may want to keep in mind that inflatable toddler beds are made of plastic, so if you want a non-plastic option, look for fabric sleeping mats or use portable bed rails on a regular bed instead. (Parents who are concerned about phthalate exposure should research whether or not the content is within the acceptable limits for toddlers, Dr. Alexander advises.)

• Inflatable: The classic style of a toddler travel bed is one with an inflatable design, similar to a blow-up mattress. Many of these models fold down to sizes that are compact enough to travel with in carry-on bags or suitcases. They typically include either a manual or electric pump, and either come in with attached bed rails or in a two-piece design.
• Foldable: For anyone who prioritizes easy set up over portability, foldable toddler beds and bed mats are a great option. These are also typically made of fabric, so they're a plastic-free alternative.
• Tent-style: Toddler travel tents are a versatile investment if you're looking for a style you can use outdoors, like at the beach or while camping. While these models include mattresses for your toddler to sleep comfortably, they also feature a mesh enclosure and top, which can protect your child from the sun and bugs.
• Portable bed rails: The most portable toddler travel bed option is a pair of inflatable bed rails. Instead of carrying an entire mattress with you, you can use these portable bed rails for toddlers. In order to adhere to the sleep guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), make sure that these bumpers include a way to be secured in place so they don't come loose while your child sleeps.

What to look for in a toddler travel bed

When deciding what type of toddler bed would be best for you and your child, consider the following qualities:

• Portability: Many travel toddler beds are designed to pack down to sizes that are easy to carry in your luggage or put in the trunk of your car. These styles often also include travel bags to make transporting them even easier.
• Durability: When thinking about durability, you'll want to consider whether the bed is easy to clean if your toddler has an accident in the night. Some models consist of one piece which will be easy to wipe down, while others feature a fabric cover that you can toss in the washing machine. You'll also want to look for a bed that will hold up after multiple trips if you plan on using it often or one that you can use as each of your children grow. Many inflatable beds are made of thick vinyl that's puncture-proof or feature welded seams to hold air in.
• Ease of Use: If you're buying an inflatable bed, you'll want to check that it includes a pump and see whether it's manual or electric. Also, make note of inflatable beds that include inserts versus those that are one piece — you might have a preference here regarding setup, whether you want to inflate one or two pieces. On the other hand, if speedy setup and breakdown is your main goal, look at mats that fold and require zero inflating.
• Safety: Because many toddlers can climb out of bed unassisted, there are a few safety concerns to keep in mind when purchasing a travel toddler bed, says Dr. Alexander. Even though many toddlers are quite agile, sleepy or drowsy toddlers may not navigate their way out of bed as easily, so she recommends avoiding raised cot-style beds. You'll also want to practice caution with any beds that feature safety bumpers and make sure they are flush with the bed and have no loose parts to reduce the risk of entrapment or suffocation, Dr. Alexander advises.

How we chose the best toddler travel beds

Because toddlers all have different preferences when it comes to sleeping comfortably, we leaned on both the What to Expect community and our staff to get a better sense of what toddler travel beds worked for a majority of people. Then, we used guidance from our expert, Dr. Alexander, to understand what qualities parents should look for in each bed and what makes a great pick. Finally, we ensured each choice met the qualifications set from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the safe sleep guidelines from the CPSC. Read on for the list of the best toddler travel beds.