For parents of young children, gone are the days when you could travel with just one bag. Traveling with children is a whole different ball game. It involves a lot more stuff, more things that you need to pack and more than you need to carry. It’s no longer just packing a bag full of clothes and going, there is a lot more planning that now comes into the picture. If you have children around the ages of 2-5 then one of the things that you need to consider is a toddler travel bed.
Quick Look at Our Top 5 Picks
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
---|---|---|
Best of the Best
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
Best Runner Up
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
Best for Budget
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → | |
BEST FOR VALUE
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
Portable toddler beds can be a bit of pain to have to take with you, but they are something that is differently worth the hassle once you arrive at your destination. Thankfully there are some great options out there, that can make it much easier to have to bring one along on your trip.
Editor’s Choice for Best Toddler Travel Beds
- Airtight
- Lifetime warranty
- Security rails that keep your child from rolling out
- Can be inflated in under 30 seconds
- Comes with carrying bag and electric pump
Top 5 Children’s Bed Options for You
The Shrunks Toddler Inflatable Air Mattress Travel Bed
It’s easy to see why the Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed has won the Babbles Award for best toddler travel bed and is considered by many as the top option out there! This bed is a perfect option for any type of travel, weather it is a sleepover at the grandparent’s house, a family camping trip or even an overseas vacation. It folds up easily and fits into its convenient carrying bag, and can be packed easily into your luggage or into the car.
Made from quality material, Shrunks offers a lifetime airtight warranty on this bed and a hassle-free two-year warranty or any other issues that could possibly arise. If your child is an active sleeper, there is no need to worry about potential rubber squeaks waking up the rest of the family, this bed is completely squeak free!
The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed features an inner mattress so that sheets and blankets can easily be tucked in. The sides feature security rails so that your child will not roll out. Inflation of this bed takes under 30 seconds thanks to the electric pump that comes with it.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Guardrails help keep your child from falling out
- Can be inflated in under 30 seconds
- Good for ages 2+ and a weight limit of up to 150 lbs
- Lifetime airtight warranty
- Squeak free
Cons:
- Needs to air out for a few days after purchasing to get rid of the “plastic smell”
Milliard Bed Bumper Toddler Foam
The Milliard Bed Bumper Toddler Foam is one of the coziest options on the market. Its plush velour interior is not only incredibly comfortable but also waterproof and washable. Its soft side bumpers will help keep your child from rolling onto the floor.
Although not as compact as some of the other options, this bed does fold up very easily and can even be used as a suitcase when folded up! It is perfect for storing all bed linens and even a few of your child’s favorite stuffed animals!
Pros:
- Cozy, plush velour interior
- Light, portable and folds up easily
- Quiet
- No weight limit because the bed sits directly on the floor
- Can be used as a suitcase when folded up
- Soft bumpers help keep your child from rolling off
Cons:
- Not as compact as some of the other options Zippers can be difficult to manage
Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed with Safety Bumpers
This is a product that is very similar to the Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed. They are both comfortable, inflatable air mattresses, that have and inner mattress that sits in a larger outer cushion. One of the major differences between the two is that the Hiccapop comes in two separate pieces as opposed to the two being connected.
Hiccapop understands that the biggest drawback to this style of bed is the potential for leaks and punctures. Because of this, they use 40% thicker vinyl and double reinforce their seems. On top of this, they still offer you a lifetime warranty.
The electric pump makes inflating this mattress so easy that your child would be able to it on their own, in under 30 seconds.
Pros:
- Can be inflated in under 30 seconds
- Fits all standard crib sheets and blankets
- Built from 40% thicker than average vinyl
- Lifetime warranty
- Higher sides protect your child from falling off
- Max weight capacity of 300 lbs
Cons:
- Needs to air out for a few days after purchasing to get rid of the “plastic smell”
Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed
The Regalo My Cot is perfect for travel, sleepovers, camping, beach trips, or even an afternoon nap at home! It is a completely different style than our other options, designed more like a cot or even a fold out camping chair. It is convenient and incredibly quick to fold up and out.
This bed features a steel frame and a waterproof, sturdy canvas bed liner that is available in three great colors! The bed liner cleans easily with a damp cloth and soap, and the custom sheet that comes with it can simply be thrown in the washing machine.
This bed is perfect for children ages 2-5 and has a weight capacity of 75lbs.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to fold up and out
- Made from study steel and waterproof canvas
- Available in 3 colors
- Folds down to a fraction of its size
- Comes with a convenient carrying case
- Great price
Cons:
- Not as comfortable as some inflatable options
- Legs don’t lock into place
Leachco BumpZZZ Travel Bed
The Leachco BumpZZZ Travel Bed is perfect for any activity where your child wants to be comfortable. Perfect for sleeping, playing, reading, or watching tv in, it offers plenty of comfortable cushioned support. It’s generously sized, so your kids will want to spend as much time in it as possible, it can even be folded up into a comfortable lounge cushion!
Despite its large size, it can easily be folded up and fit into a handy carrying bag. Then, when it is time for bed, there is no need to set anything up or to inflate, simply just pull it out of the bag and you are good to go!
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Doesn’t need any inflation or set up
- Folds up to fit in carrying bag
- Cushion can easily be removed and washed
- Bumpers protect your child from falling out
Cons:
- Too large to pack for air travel
What factors should you consider before purchasing?
- Which type is right for you? There are essentially two main types of toddler travel beds. One is the inflatable models. These are essentially smaller air mattresses that offer some level of containment to make sure your child doesn’t fall off. Often these will have an inner mattress that is easier to put a sheet and blankets on, and then an outer part that gives the support and has the rails on them. Then there are the foldable styles. These are usually larger, making them not ideal for packing in a suitcase or carry-on, but usually, they are easier to set up, just needing to be unfolded.
- Size: When it comes to size, you need to consider both the size of the bed when it is stored away and also the size of the bed when it is taken out. Some beds are still very large when folded up or stored, and are therefore probably better suited for car travel rather than airplane. Inflatable mattresses may compress quite small but then expand to the size of a twin mattress when blown up. Just make sure that the size of the bed you are buying works for your need.
- Age and weight limits: Most toddler travel beds will include some type of age and weight limits with them. These are pretty self-explanatory, but you just want to make sure that you check these to see if that particular product will be a good option for your child.
- Convenience: Wherever you will be traveling, you are going to have to put this bed together. You will probably be exhausted and in an unfamiliar location, so the easier that the bed can get set up or inflated, the better that will be for you.
Closing Thoughts
At times it can be difficult for children to fall asleep when they are in an unfamiliar or new place. With these options, they can be comfortable and safe and hopefully it will make the transition much easier for you on your trip. These beds are also all great even for home use to help transition your child from a crib into a bigger size bed. These beds can be a piece of home for your children even in the midst of an unfamiliar place. We know that buying the right toddler travel bed for your child can really help make your trip go a bit smoother.