Best Travel Cots UK (2026)
A travel cot needs to be quick to put up, sturdy once it's up and comfortable enough for a good night's sleep away from home. This guide is based on Mumsnet's tested roundup (updated June 2026), where vetted parent-testers used each cot with their own babies and toddlers over a number of months, judging safety, ease of putting up, efficiency, comfort and portability. Mumsnet also drew on forum recommendations and advice from baby sleep expert Mandy Gurney. Prices are those quoted at time of writing and change often, so check before buying.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light
Best overall
Mumsnet's Best Buy and the one that comes up time and again on their forums. The reviewer found it sturdy, simple to set up and easy to transport, with one of the thickest, comfiest mattresses her toddler has slept on and airy mesh sides. Her two-year-old, who often struggles with new sleep environments, slept soundly with every use. It's one of the more expensive travel cots, and the mattress sits fairly close to the floor, though one side unzips for access.
- Durable construction
- Very comfy mattress
- Mattress and fabric removable and machine-washable
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light | Best overall | Birth to three years, 6kg including carry bag, removable machine-washable mattress and fabric, mesh sides | Check price |
| Tutti Bambini CoZee Go Travel Cot | Best for summer | Birth to three years, four mesh side walls, zip-off bassinet (up to 6 months or 9kg), 6.5kg, travel bag included | Check price |
| Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot | Quickest to assemble | Birth to two years, unfolds in one second and folds in three, folds with the mattress in, carrycot insert, 6.7kg, 4-year warranty | Check price |
| Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot | Best budget | Birth to three years, mesh on four sides, carry bag, 8.5kg, assembled 76 x 103 x 73cm | Check price |
| Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot | Best as a playpen | Birth to three years, 3-in-1 (co-sleeper, playpen, travel cot), sloped sides, zip-up door, 6.25kg | Check price |
| Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1 Travel Cot Playpen | Most versatile | Birth to 15kg, one-second fold, two-stage mattress, 7kg, folds to L83 x W25 x H25cm | Check price |
| Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot | Best for toddlers | Birth to 15kg, breathable mesh sides and ventilated mesh mattress, 12kg, assembled L103 x W76 x H73cm | Check price |
| Graco FoldLite LX Travel Cot | Easiest to fold | Birth to three years, two fold modes (Home Fold just 26cm wide), removable infant bassinet, two wheels, 6.78kg | Check price |
| Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot | Best for newborns | Birth to three years (15kg), removable bassinet, lift-and-lower side panel, mesh on all sides, 8.79kg | Check price |
| LittleLife Arc 2 Travel Cot | Best lightweight | Birth to three years (15kg), tent-style, 2.5kg, insect-proof mesh, colour-coded poles, backpack carry bag | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light
Mumsnet's Best Buy and the one that comes up time and again on their forums. The reviewer found it sturdy, simple to set up and easy to transport, with one of the thickest, comfiest mattresses her toddler has slept on and airy mesh sides. Her two-year-old, who often struggles with new sleep environments, slept soundly with every use. It's one of the more expensive travel cots, and the mattress sits fairly close to the floor, though one side unzips for access.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years
- Weight
- 6kg (with carry bag)
- Price guide
- £170 (at time of writing, RRP £200)
Pros
- Durable construction
- Very comfy mattress
- Mattress and fabric removable and machine-washable
Cons
- Mattress is fairly close to the floor, though one side unzips
- One of the more expensive cots around
Best for summer
Tutti Bambini CoZee Go Travel Cot
Mumsnet found a breathable, stylish 3-in-1 with four mesh walls, so you can see your baby from any angle and airflow is maximised for warm weather. The parent-tester scored it very highly over a two-month test, praising its sturdiness and spaciousness, and said it gave her baby the same amount of sleeping space as his usual bed. It takes up a lot of floor space and can be awkward to manoeuvre when assembled.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years
- Weight
- 6.5kg
- Price guide
- £119 (at time of writing, RRP £169)
Pros
- Mesh sides make it a super-breathable choice for summer
- Zip-off bassinet for newborns
- Washable fabric lining and travel bag included
Cons
- Takes up a large amount of floor space
- Can be a bit awkward to manoeuvre when assembled
Quickest to assemble
Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot
Mumsnet's tester found it incredibly easy to use, with aerospace-style folding that lets the cot fold flat with the mattress attached, which sets it apart from other travel cots she's tested. It's light to carry, the mattress is comfortable and multi-layered, and mesh panels help air circulate. The carrycot insert lets it act as a bedside crib for co-sleeping away from home. It's expensive and only suitable up to two years.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 2 years
- Weight
- 6.7kg
- Warranty
- 4 years
- Price guide
- £195 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Great quality mattress
- Takes one second to unfold and three to fold
- Can be folded with the mattress left in
- Carrycot insert for newborns
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Only suitable up to 2 years
Best budget
Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot
Mumsnet's editor has owned hers for over 10 years and used it for around seven as a travel bed and playpen for three children, so she can vouch for its durability. It's robust and simple, with padding over the poles and edges, easy to clean and quick to assemble. The mattress is thin, so she bought a separate one, and covers aren't machine-washable and there are no wheels.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years
- Weight
- 8.5kg
- Assembled size
- 76 x 103 x 73cm
- Price guide
- £33 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Lightweight and folds compactly into a travel bag
- Quick to assemble and fold away
- Easy to clean, with mesh sides so you can see baby
Cons
- Mattress is thinner than some others on the market
- Doesn't have wheels
Best as a playpen
Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot
Mumsnet found a sleek, simple 3-in-1 whose sloped sides make it harder for toddlers to climb out while leaving plenty of play space, plus a little zip-up door that makes it feel less like a 'baby cage'. The tester found it slightly tricky to assemble the first time but expects so much use that it will become second nature, and called it very good value for a quality product.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years
- Weight
- 6.25kg
- Folded size
- L88 x W34 x H17cm
- Price guide
- £145 (at time of writing, was £175)
Pros
- 3-in-1 design works as co-sleeper, playpen and travel cot
- Sloped sides make it harder for toddlers to climb out
- Zip-up door
Cons
- Can be tricky to put up for the first time
- Sloped legs take some getting used to and can be tripped over
Most versatile
Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-in-1 Travel Cot Playpen
Mumsnet's tester found it sturdy and well made, quick to assemble thanks to the one-second fold, with a thick, spongy, supportive two-stage mattress, and it works very well as a safe playpen. Leaning over to place the baby in was 'a bit back-breaking', which she noted is common to travel cots, and a side zip panel would help. She felt it represents good value for money despite the price.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 15kg
- Weight
- 7kg
- Folded size
- L83 x W25 x H25cm
- Price guide
- £168 (at time of writing, RRP £220)
Pros
- Easy to fold
- Lightweight for its size
- Two-stage mattress
Cons
- Pricey
- Leaning over to place the baby in is back-breaking, with no side access
Best for toddlers
Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot
Mumsnet's 4'11" tester found it much easier to set up than previous cots and was impressed by its sturdiness when put through its paces by her toddler, with plenty of space and comfort. Breathable mesh sides and a ventilated mesh mattress help in hot climates. It's premium priced and Mumsnet notes nothing particularly remarkable sets it apart from cheaper peers if you'll only use it once or twice a year.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 15kg
- Weight
- 12kg
- Assembled size
- L103 x W76 x H73cm
- Price guide
- £250 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Plenty of space for toddlers inside
- Comfortable and designed for maximum airflow
Cons
- Pricey
- Not a lot of outstanding features
- Heavy at 12kg
Easiest to fold
Graco FoldLite LX Travel Cot
Mumsnet's tester found it incredibly easy to put up (it just pops up and clicks in, no instructions needed) with a sturdy structure and a removable bassinet that even fit her pram bassinet. There's a quick fold for speed and an ultra-thin Home Fold for storage, and the base is one of the lowest on their list, good for playpen use. The mattress could be thicker.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years
- Weight
- 6.78kg
- Folded width
- 26cm (Home Fold)
- Price guide
- From £70 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to fold up and down
- Collapses to just 26cm wide
- Comes with a removable infant bassinet
- Two wheels for easy manoeuvring
Cons
- The mattress could be thicker
Best for newborns
Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot
Mumsnet called it a real steal for new parents who want their newborn close: compact and versatile, with a removable bassinet that's quick to attach and detach. Their tester Ruth particularly liked the co-sleeper function, with the cot tucked against the bed and height adjustable for night feeds. It's too small to use as a playpen and the material isn't machine-washable.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years (15kg)
- Weight
- 8.79kg
- Price guide
- £100 (at time of writing)
Pros
- Lift and lower side panel for easy pick-up and put-down
- Compact frame that packs into a travel bag
- Mesh panels on all four sides and a padded top rail
Cons
- Too small to be used as a playpen
- Material isn't machine-washable
Best lightweight
LittleLife Arc 2 Travel Cot
Mumsnet's tester liked its tent-like design, close to the floor so there's no risk of falling out, plus the mosquito net. At just 2.5kg it folds into a backpack and works as well outdoors as in, though Mumsnet would recommend it for toddlers rather than newborns. The mattress is thin and the sunshade must be bought separately.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 3 years (15kg), recommended for toddlers
- Weight
- 2.5kg
- Price guide
- £84 (at time of writing, was £160)
Pros
- Insect-proof mesh for hot weather and outdoors
- Front panel with safety toggle doubles as an outdoor playpen
- Colour-coded poles make assembly simple
- Extremely lightweight
Cons
- Thin mattress
- Sunshade must be bought separately
Buying guide
Do I actually need a travel cot?
Not necessarily. Mumsnet says it depends on your lifestyle: if you'll only use one for two weeks a year you could probably do without, and a co-sleeper, Moses basket or pram carrycot may work for a smaller baby. If you travel often or your child will stay with grandparents regularly, a travel cot is a good solution.
Are travel cots safe for sleeping?
Yes if used as intended. Check the cot meets current British safety standards (the Lullaby Trust says if no standard number is visible you shouldn't buy it), use only the original firm, flat mattress, never add towels or duvets underneath, and keep it away from radiators, windows and blind cords.
Can I use a travel cot as my baby's permanent bed?
Sleep expert Mandy Gurney says travel cots are designed for short-term use because their mattresses are thinner than standard cot mattresses. They can be used safely for a while if in good condition, but for long-term sleep a full-size cot or cot bed is usually the better choice.
How much does a travel cot cost?
Mumsnet says prices range from about £35 to over £200 and the most expensive isn't necessarily best. Budget models like the Red Kite Sleeptight can last well into the toddler years, while pricier ones like the Bugaboo and BabyBjörn offer easier folding, better mattresses and longevity for frequent use.
Sources
Related guides
Best Baby Bottles UK
Seven baby bottles compared on leak-proofing, durability, cleaning, sterilising and how well they suit newborns, breastfed babies and colic.
Best Baby Bouncers and Rockers UK
Six baby bouncers, rockers and swings tested by parents with babies from newborn to five months, compared on support, portability and ease of cleaning.
Best Baby Car Seats UK (Birth to Toddler)
Eight infant car seats tested by parents over months, cross-checked against Which? lab results and ADAC crash-test scores.
Best Baby Carrier Backpacks UK
Seven framed baby carrier backpacks for hiking and travel, tested on real walks, compared on storage, comfort and weight.