Here are our top picks for the best travel cribs under $100. These travel cribs are inexpensive but quality and safe for your baby!
Budget-friendly Travel Cribs
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A travel crib is a convenient piece of baby equipment, but it is usually not used all the time. That raises the question of whether they are worth your money. Is buying an expensive travel crib a wise decision, or is it better to decide on a more affordable model?
If money is not an issue, you can go either way. However, if you want to save some money, choose a cheaper model, as it can be just as good. There are good and bad travel cribs amongst cheap and expensive ones.
Top-rated travel cribs under $100
All models on this list are low-budget travel cribs that cost less than $100. We’ve chosen them amongst travel cribs in the same price range, meaning they have the highest quality-price ratio amongst affordable models. That is why the comparison to high-budget models is might not in place.
Nevertheless, all travel cribs on the list meet required safety standards and have sufficient quality, despite their affordable price!
Editor’s choice:
Dream On Me Travel Light Playard
Why we love it:
- It doesn’t weigh a lot, which is very convenient when you have to carry it around.
- It is a modern-looking travel crib, which hides that it is a cheaper model.
- You can pick between four different finishes, which is a lot comparing to high-budget travel cribs.
- I like its durable carrying bag in a shape of a suitcase.
- It has an aluminum frame, which adds to the stability.
- The Dream On Me travel crib meets all required safety standards!
- It is surrounded by breathable, see-through mesh, allowing a perfect airflow through the unit.
- Setting up and collapsing is easy and fast!
- Its travel mattress is pretty comfortable compared to other travel cribs.
- High value for the price!
Runner up:
BABY JOY Baby Foldable Travel Crib
Why we love it:
- We love its side zippered door design, which opens easily to help babies get in and out more conveniently.
- The crib is light and easy to carry around.
- We like that it is available in three colors, giving you more options to choose from.
- It is durable, especially for the price you are paying.
- It has aluminum tube feet and an iron handrail, which adds to its stability.
- Its stable frame is surrounded by breathable, see-through mesh.
- Good air circulation prevents heat accumulation in the travel crib.
- You can set it up in a moment.
- A suitable carrying case and travel mattress are included in the package.
- It meets all safety standards.
- Great value for the price!
The lightest choice:
UNiPlay Portable Lightweight Travel Crib
Why we love it:
- It is the lightest travel crib on the list, so you can imagine how easy it is to carry around.
- You can opt for a model with a side zipper door.
- I like its adjustable feet for better stability on an uneven surface.
- It has an included carrying bag in a shape of a suitcase.
- A fitting mattress pad is included in the package.
- We like its simple fold-and-go design for an easy setup and takedown within seconds.
- A breathable, see-through mesh enables good airflow, which prevents the baby’s overheating.
- Travel crib meets all safety standards.
- Good value for the price!
Are travel cribs under $100 safe for the baby?
First of all, how much does a travel crib costs that we consider it affordable? Regarding the current market prices, cheap travel cribs are those that cost less than $100. However, since many travel cribs cost $200 to $ 300, many doubt the quality of cheaper ones.
So, are they safe and quality? Yes, they are! They have to meet the same safety standards as any other travel crib on the market. So as for the achieved safety standards, affordable travel cribs don’t lag behind high-budget models.
As for their quality, yes, some are might not as fancy as expensive travel cribs, but lots of them do not differ from expensive models at all!
You have to aware that the safety of any crib depends mainly on the correct way of use. Some of these criteria include accurate travel crib assembly, avoiding the use of baby bumpers, plush toys, or loosen sheets in a travel crib, and picking the right travel crib mattress.
A travel crib mattress
Travel cribs have an included travel crib mattress, but some parents decide on a thicker one. However, a travel mattress shouldn’t be too thick. Infants can trap between the thicker mattress and soft travel crib’s side, leading to injuries or even suffocation!
The maximum allowed thickness, which is considered safe for most travel cribs and Pack ‘N Plays, is usually 3 inches, but check by the manufacturer before your purchase!
Are cheap travel cribs durable?
The travel crib’s durability depends from model to model. I cannot generalize and say that all travel cribs, cheap or expensive ones, have the same durability.
However, it would be a lie if I would claim the materials of cheap travel cribs have the same or better quality as some high-budget models. Jet again, this cannot be generalized, as a high price doesn’t mean high quality in every case!
My advice to you, purchase one of the best-rated affordable travel cribs if you need a crib for occasional traveling. You can also opt for a cheaper model if you intend to use it in one place. For instance, you will use it as a Playard at home, and you won’t set it up and down all the time.
But take a look into more expensive travel cribs, such as Babybjorn travel crib light or Guava Family Lotus travel crib, if you travel a lot. These two travel cribs have a little more durable carrying bags, which better withstand frequent use.
Should you choose a budget-friendly Pack ‘N Play?
This article focuses only on lightweight travel cribs, which are a perfect choice for travelers. However, that doesn’t mean some Pack ‘N Plays are not suitable for taking it with you.
But keep in mind that:
- Pack ‘N Plays weight more than travel cribs
- they fold down and pack in a bag, but the package is larger from collapsed travel cribs
- Pack ‘N Plays accessories, such as newborn nappers, toys, storage units, changers, etc. do not pack into a carrying bag
RELATED: The best affordable Pack ‘N Plays under $100
More about top-rated inexpensive travel cribs
Dream On Me travel light Playard review
The Dream On Me is a well-known and established baby brand. It is a part of the DOM family that is committed to providing safe, durable, and thoughtfully built baby products for an affordable price.
The Dream On Me offers a wide selection of different baby cribs, Pack ‘N Plays, and travel cribs, among which this one is the lightest, perfect for taking with you wherever you go.
Its qualities are the same to hight- budget travel cribs, but it costs much less.
The Dream On Me Travel Light looks similar to BabyBjorn’s travel crib Light, but it costs as much as $ 200 less, which is definitely not negligible. Don’t get me wrong, the BabyBjorn travel crib Light is a high-quality travel crib, but I would think twice if it is worth spending so much. After all, I can buy a cheaper alternative.
The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard is a stable and safe travel crib, which doesn’t weigh a lot. Setting up and folding is easy and quick.
It folds down flat, and we didn’t notice problems while packing into the included carrying bag. Its carrying bag is in the shape of a convenient suitcase and pretty durable.
The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard meets all safety standards and scores high on durability tests. It has a sturdy aluminum frame and a quality locking system for extra safety.
This travel crib is surrounded by a breathable and see-through mesh. All fabric on the crib is, of course, free from harmful chemicals!
The included mattress pad is comfortable enough and provides safe sleeping space for your baby.
You can also clean it easily, using just a damp cloth and soap.
Dream On Me Travel Light Playard’s specifications:
Measurements and Weight:
- assembled dimensions: 40,5″ L x 27″ W x 26″ H
- collapsed dimensions: 23,5″ L x 6″ W x 19″ H
- weight: 13 pounds
Age / Weight Recommendations:
- from infants to toddlers
Jump on the top for the link to its latest price: Dream On Me Travel Light Playard
BABY JOY foldable travel crib Review
The BABY JOY travel crib has a bigger footprint but weighs less than the first one on our list. Its precise design, the lightweight aluminum frame, and light, breathable mesh, enable the BABY JOY travel crib to weigh only 10 pounds while staying stable when your baby is in it.
I have to say that it was hard to decide which of the affordable travel cribs we would choose as the best. In the end, we were going back and forth between BABY JOY and the winner above. Anyway, I think you can’t go wrong deciding on either of them.
BABY JOY provides an excellent, safe, and quality sleeping space while traveling. If weight is an important factor in your decision, and you don’t need the bassinet, then choose this one, or the lightest travel crib on this list, the Uniplay, which weighs only 8,8 pounds.
The BABY JOY travel crib I have listed here is without a zippered side door, but there is a model with this feature too. But it will cost you an additional $ 20, which raises the price of this travel crib to just a little over $ 100.
BABY JOY travel crib has everything a quality travel crib must have! Besides everything written above, it sets up and folds down easily. You can set it up or collapse in one movement. It also fits nicely into an included carrying case.
It comes with a soft and comfortable mattress, which is cozy enough for a travel crib mattress. And most of all, it is a safe sleeping place or play area for your child. Breathable mesh provides excellent airflow through the crib, so your baby won’t overheat. It meets all safety standards and doesn’t contain toxic chemicals.
BABY JOY Baby Playpen travel crib specifications:
Measurements and Weight:
- assembled dimensions: 45,5″ L x 31″ W x 27″ H
- collapsed dimensions: 24″ L x 5,5″ W x 19″ H
- weight: 10 pounds
Age / Weight Recommendations:
- from newborn to toddler
Jump on the top for the link to its latest price: BABY JOY travel crib
UNiPLAY portable Playard Review
You can choose between two types of UNiPlay travel crib. One is with and another without a side zipper door.
The price difference is about $ 5, depending on current promotions. The price of both remains well below $ 100, so no matter which one you choose, you won’t pay a lot.
Overall, this is a good travel crib, but if you want the side zipper door, choose a Flisko’s travel crib or a BABY JOY travel crib instead of Uniplay. Although smaller, I think the doors on these two are better and of higher quality.
The UNiPLAY’s advantage over other cheap travel cribs on our list is its weight. It is the lightest model on our list. In fact, it is the lightest travel crib we have found so far! It has the patented design and certifications to be safe regardless of its lightweight. Its frame is capable of resisting deformation up to 120 pounds, which is excellent.
The frame is surrounded by see-through mesh, which also provides a great airflow through the travel crib.
UNiPLAY Portable Playard is easy to use and safe for indoor or outdoor use. It has adjustable feet, which I found very handy. By adjusting its legs, it will stay stable even if you set it up on uneven surfaces. That’s why it is a suitable choice for use in the park or beach too.
UNiPLAY travel crib has an included, waterproof mattress pad, whit a comparable quality to other travel cribs, including those who cost more.
The assembly is simple and doesn’t take a lot of time. The same goes for the collapsing. The folded crib also fits nicely into a handy carrying bag, which is in the shape of a suitcase.
UNiPLAY Portable Playard specifications:
Measurements and Weight:
- assembled dimensions: 44,9″ L x 33,7″ W x 26,4″ H
- collapsed dimensions: 24″ L x 6,5″ W x 17,3″ H
- weight: 8,8 pounds
Age / Weight Recommendations:
- suitable for infants all the way up to toddlers
Jump on the top for the link to its latest price: UNiPLAY Portable Playard
*Update: Following models are, in our opinion, one of the better affordable travel cribs too. They were on our list last year, but unfortunately, they are not available at the moment.
Flisko’s All-in-One lightweight travel crib
Flisko’s all-in-one travel crib Review
Why we love it:
- all-in-one travel crib
- full-size bassinet for infants
- grows with the child
- the cheapest travel crib on our list, with the most features
- perfect from newborns to toddler up to 3 years old and more
- waterproof mattress pad
- an included fitting sheet
- side zipper door
- carrying case
- easy setup
- it meets all safety standards
- long-lasting
What you get:
Flisko’s travel crib is unbelievable cheap. Comparing everything it offers with the price you are paying it’s the best deal for a travel crib you can make. It is actually the most versatile and the cheapest travel crib on our list.
First of all, this travel crib includes a full-size bassinet for infants. The crib is soft and comfy, with a sleek design to fit into small spaces. And second, it grows with your child. I was genuinely impressed by the number of features and accessories it offers for such a low price.
Full-size bassinets are way more common for regular Pack ‘N Plays. Even high budget travel cribs are usually without them, or you have to buy it separately, like on Lotus travel crib. Not only that, in my opinion, is Flisko’s bassinet more handy and easy to use too! The bassinet is also very supportive and gives your infant nest-like feeling.
When your baby outgrows the bassinet, remove it and left it at home. Start using the lower level, with an insulated foam mattress pad. Flisko’s travel cribs include a 1″ waterproof mattress pad, and even a fitted sheet. All travel cribs come with a mattress pad, but the fitted sheet is another excellent Flisko’s addition to the overall package.
It is a perfect portable crib for when you are on the go. It doesn’t weight a lot and folds up small into a carrying bag. Traveling with a baby is sometimes not easy and requires free hands. Flisko’s carrying bag converts into a handy backpack, which is another plus for this travel crib.
Side zipper door:
And those are not all its features yet. Flisko travel crib has a side zipper. The zipper is quality made and opens up nicely. It creates a crawl-through zipper door for easy access to your baby. Toddlers love it too. Throw a blanket on the top, and your toddler gets a cute little playhouse.
Setting up and collapsing is not hard, and once you get used to it, it takes just seconds to pack away or reassemble the crib, without any stress or complicated steps.
Flisko’s travel crib meets all required safety standards. It has a solid frame and quality folding mechanism that prevents hazardous collapsing or involuntary folding. It’s surrounded with breathable mesh, which ensures visibility and good airflow through the crib.
Flisko’s all-in-one travel crib specifications:
Measurements and Weight:
- assembled dimensions: 43″ L x 28″ W x 28″ H
- collapsed dimensions: 22,5″ L x 5″ W x 20″ H
- weight: 14 pounds
Age / Weight Recommendations:
- from newborn to 3 years and beyond
Sunvivi travel crib
Sunvivi Baby Travel Crib Review
Why we love it:
- lightweight
- aluminum frame
- sturdy
- safe
- affordable
- breathable mesh
- removable and machine washable crib textiles
- included mattress pad and carrying bag
- four different colors
The Sunvivi Baby Playpen is one of the newest models on the market. With the price under $ 100, it belongs amongst the cheapest travel cribs, but is it as good as the others?
Our review didn’t show any deviations, neither in the bad nor in a good way. For the price you are paying, you get everything you need for traveling.
If I had to point out the thing which is better from others, this would be Sunvivi’s removable and machine washable crib textiles, which makes cleaning a bigger mess easier. I know that this is not the most important thing you should look for, but we all know how messy life with babies can be.
With 10,5 pounds, Sunvivi belongs amongst the lightest travel cribs on the market. Its aluminum frame provides a safe and firm structure, so the baby won’t knock it ower. The aluminum frame is surrounded by soft and airy mesh fabric for good supervision and airflow through the crib. It has a mattress pad that is comfortable enough. The mattress also possesses removable and machine washable cover, which is certainly not negligible too!
Setting up is easy and shouldn’t take you more than a minute. The same is with the collapsing. The folded crib also fits nicely into the provided carrying bag.
Sunvivi Baby Playpen’s specifications:
Measurements and Weight:
- assembled dimensions: 45,5″ L x 31″ W x 27″ H
- collapsed dimensions: 23,5″ L x 7″ W x 20,5″ H
- weight: 10,5 pounds
Age / Weight Recommendations:
- for newborn, infant, and toddler
Final words
Decide for one of these travel cribs if you don’t want to spend a lot on a portable crib, but you expect sufficient quality. Although travel cribs on this list are cheap, they reach the same safety standards as all other models on the market.
We’ve already reviewed a lot of travel cribs, including some more expensive models, such as BaybBjorn travel crib light or Guava Family Lotus travel crib. Those travel cribs are, without a doubt, high-quality models, but if you won’t travel all the time, deciding on one of the affordable travel cribs is the best decision you can make. Their quality and durability are actually very comparable to high-budget cribs!