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Best Toddler Travel Beds
Updated on
October 24, 2023

Best Toddler Travel Beds

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Whether you’re road-tripping to grandma’s or embarking on your first family flight, traveling with a toddler presents some unique challenges. Sure, you’ve got your lightweight travel car seat and you solved most of the world’s problems with the toys you brought along. But one big one that might leave you scratching your head for a solution? Where your toddler is going to sleep, especially if they’re in that strange in-between phase where they’re too big for a travel crib but not quite ready to snooze the night away in a full-size bed.

Meet the toddler travel bed: a perfectly pint-sized sleep solution for your tiny traveler. Toddler travel beds are lightweight, portable and built to take on the go. They’re also designed with toddlers in mind, with special features like sized-down mattresses and built-in bumpers.

A portable toddler travel bed is worth investing in if you’re a family that travels frequently or if you regularly stay somewhere that’s short on beds (think a relative or friend’s home, or even a hotel) and need a spot for your toddler to sleep. These expert-approved parent favorites will help you narrow down which toddler travel bed is best for you.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Toddler Travel Beds

Babylist’s Picks for the Best Toddler Travel Beds

Best Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

With close to 12,000 positive reviews and almost 90 percent five-star ratings, Hiccapop’s Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is a favorite for so many reasons. One of the bed’s best features is the bumpers. Unlike some toddler travel beds that feature only side bumpers, this bed has bumpers on all four sides, so you won’t have to worry about your toddler rolling off. It’s constructed from thick, durable vinyl, and holds up to years of use. It’s super quick to inflate—it takes about 30 seconds—and rolls up small enough to fit in a suitcase or duffel bag. It comes with everything you need, including a pump and a travel bag, and fits all standard-size crib sheets and blankets.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 62”L x 39”W x 12” D
Weight 8 lbs
Extras Includes electric pump and travel bag

Best Twin Size Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

If you’re in the market for a larger inflatable toddler travel bed, this option from Shrunks is your best bet. The twin size is six and a half feet long and almost four feet wide, so it’s a good choice for older toddlers or if you like to lie down with your little one. There are no bumpers at the head or foot of this travel bed, but there are two side bumpers that do a good job containing active sleepers. Like the Hiccapop, the Shrunks inflates in less than a minute and comes with a travel bag and electric pump, and fits easily in a carry-on or backpack. It’s a bit lighter, however, weighing in at six pounds instead of eight, and is a single-piece design (as compared to the Hiccapop that has a separate base and mattress), so rolling it up after it’s deflated is a little easier.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 78”L x 43”W x 9” D
Weight 6 lbs
Extras Includes electric pump and travel bag

Best Inflatable Travel Bed for Older Toddlers

Like all things Stokke, this toddler travel bed is as stylish as it is functional. Designed for kids three and up, the CloudSleeper is the lightest and most compact toddler travel bed on our list, weighing only three pounds and small enough to slip easily into a backpack or small bag. The unique design integrates everything right into the mattress, including a built-in pump and two side bumpers. (It also comes with a breathable air mesh fitted sheet.) Even the packing cube is innovative; it features a double zipper design that makes the mattress even more sleek and compact for storage and transport. Just note that the CloudSleeper is one of the thinnest inflatable toddler travel beds on our list at about four inches thick.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 59”L x 29.5”W x 4” D
Weight 3 lbs
Extras Includes integrated pump, packing cube and fitted sheet

Best Toddler Nap Mat

If you haven’t seen a nap mat before, think of it as the total package for portable sleep solutions. The roll-up design includes a mat, an attached comforter-style blanket, a built-in (but removable) pillow and hook and loop straps to hold it all together—plus a carry strap so you can sling the whole thing right over your shoulder. Lots of toddlers use nap mats in daycares or other childcare settings, but they work just as well as travel beds for on-the-go, for a sleepover at grandma’s or for snuggling up at home. Wildkin’s nap mats are super soft and come in enough prints and patterns to make every toddler’s dreams come true, including dinos, trucks, animals, robots and more. The whole thing can be tossed in the wash (just take out the pillow first) and hung to dry. The only thing to note is that the bottom sleeping mat is similar to a sleeping bag, so it’s not very padded. It’s not an issue for most toddlers, but it is something to be aware of.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 50”L x 20”W x 1.5” D
Weight 2 lbs
Extras Rolls for travel and includes removable pillow

Best Padded Toddler Nap Mat

Like the idea of a nap mat but prefer something with a little more cushioning? This simple mat creates a comfortable sleep space for your toddler in seconds. The mat features a trifold design and is made from three inches of cushy foam. There’s a washable cover included and the whole thing folds up to a third of the full size for easy storage. Because of the design, it’s not the best solution if you need a packable toddler travel bed, but it’s great for keeping at the grandparents’ house or for taking on the go if you’re traveling by car. The brand also makes a similar foam nap mat but with bumpers on all four sides. It also folds for travel.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 62”L x 39”W x 12” D
Weight 8.8 lbs
Extras Includes removable, washable cover

Best Toddler Travel Cot

Another non-inflatable toddler travel bed option is a cot. This bestselling sleep solution, often used in childcare settings, is about as simple as it comes—just unfold it, toss on the included sheet, add a pillow and blanket if you’d like and your toddler is ready to snooze. The frame is made from steel for solid, durable construction and can hold a child up to 75 pounds. And while it doesn’t fold down quite as small as some of the toddler travel beds on our list, it’s still fairly easy to take it on the go. We like it for its straightforward simplicity and that you can use it indoors or outside. There aren’t any bumpers, though, so keep that in mind if you think your toddler may roll off.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 48”L x 24.5”W x 9” D
Weight 6.25 lbs
Extras Includes reinforced canvas bed liner and washable matching sheet

Best Affordable Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

At under $40, this inflatable bed recommended for kids three to six years old is affordable, durable and convenient. The two-piece design means you can use the mattress either on its own or inside the four-bumper base. Like the other inflatable designs on our list, it’s lightweight and easy to set up—there’s a hand pump included. And it’s comfortable, too; users rave about how roomy and soft the mattress is.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 52”L x 28”W x 4” D
Weight 9.2 lbs
Extras Includes manual pump and travel bag

Best Toddler Travel Bed for Camping

Outdoor adventurists, this one’s for you. KidCo’s pint-sized tent creates a sheltered, safe sleep space for your toddler when you’re spending the night under the stars. It weighs under three pounds so it’s easy to stash in your backpack and it sets up in seconds thanks to the pop-up design. The sun shade has built-in UV protection, so it also works as a beach tent or other sun shelter. (It’s also great for protecting your little one from bugs.) Users note that the fold can be a bit tricky to master, so you may want to practice before taking it into the great outdoors.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 46”L x 28”W x 18” D
Weight 2.45 lbs
Extras Includes travel bag

Best Toddler Travel Bed for Sleepovers

We couldn’t resist including one of the most fun toddler travel beds around. Known for their incredible and wildly creative pool floats (golf cart, anyone?), your toddler won’t mind racing to bed in Funboy’s convertible-shaped inflatable. There’s flocking on the mattress for softness and comfort and whimsical details like a windshield, headlights and wheels to really turn up the fun factor. This air mattress works for kids ages three to about 12. The travel bed does inflate, but note the air pump is sold separately.

Additional Specs
Dimensions 74”L x 40”W x 15” D
Extras None

Do You Need a Travel Bed for a Toddler?

A toddler travel bed isn’t a must-have for some families, but it’s an item that can come in pretty handy in certain situations—especially if you’re a family who is regularly on the move. If you’re on the fence about purchasing one, here are a few reasons why you may want to add a toddler travel bed to your cart.

  • The “in-between” phase. Your toddler needs a safe place to sleep when they’re away from home. Many playards and travel cribs—especially ones with raised mattresses—have weight and height maximums, usually around 30 pounds and 35 inches. A taller, heavier toddler may hit that mark by two years old. But most two-year-olds aren’t quite ready for a full-size adult bed. Many will feel intimidated by such a large sleep space or run the risk or rolling out. A toddler travel bed is the perfect solution during this period of transition.
  • You’re short on space. Staying in a hotel room that only has one bed? All the bedrooms taken during the holiday celebration at the grandparents’? A toddler travel crib is a quick, easy way to add an extra sleeping space to a room or a house that doesn’t have enough beds (or space) for your family.
  • You want your toddler close—but not too close. Toddlers move around a LOT during the night; sharing a bed with one can be a little bit like snuggling up next to the blades of a helicopter. If you want your own sleep space, but don’t want your toddler out of sight, a toddler travel bed is a good idea.
  • They’re fun. Never underestimate anything that makes bedtime a little bit more fun. Toddlers love anything pint-sized and designed just for them. They also love to feel special and included. A portable toddler travel bed checks all of these boxes and can help your little one get a little more excited about bedtime—which can be tough to accomplish when you’re away from home.

Types of Toddler Travel Beds

You’ll notice a few categories of toddler travel beds when you start shopping. Choosing which type is best for you comes down to how you’ll be using the bed and personal preference.

  • Inflatable travel beds are the most common type of toddler travel bed. They inflate via a hand or motorized pump, making them light and travel-friendly when deflated. (Just note that not all inflatable toddler travel beds come with a pump, and some pumps are bulky.) Some inflatable toddler beds come with built-in bumpers.
  • Travel cots are folding cots that are raised off the ground. They’re commonly used in daycare or other childcare settings but can be used at home or in a hotel, too. They don’t have side rails or bumpers.
  • Sleep tents, sometimes also called sleep pods or pop-up travel beds, create a breathable, enclosed sleep space over your toddler. They’re ideal for camping or if you have a tiny wanderer on your hands.

What to Look for in a Toddler Travel Bed

These are the features to consider when you’re trying to find the best toddler travel bed to meet your needs.

  • Portability. Much like a travel crib, size and weight matter when you’re shopping for a toddler travel bed since you’ll be schlepping it around on the regular. If you plan to fly with your toddler travel bed or if you travel quite a bit, choosing a lightweight, compact bed is even more important.
  • Ease of use. Be sure the toddler travel bed you choose is easy to set up and break down. Also check that it comes with all necessary parts and accessories (think pump, fitted sheet, pillow etc.) or if you have to purchase them separately.
  • Ease of cleaning. Accidents happen, especially with toddlers, so be sure your toddler travel bed is easy to clean.
  • Safety. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), never use an inflatable air mattress with infants and children under 15 months due to the risk of suffocation and rolling. Always be sure to follow any other safety warnings and specific usage directions associated with your toddler travel bed.

Jen LaBracio,

Senior Gear Editor, CPST

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). When she’s not geeking out over car seats, testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, do all things Peloton, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

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