Hunting for a comfortable but space-saving mini crib for your baby? Well, good news! I’ve just completed an up-to-date list of this year’s best portable mini cribs.
Portable MINI Cribs for Small Spaces
Baby’s Little Place Top Picks
A quality portable mini crib is the best alternative for those who do not have enough space for a full-size crib!
Portable mini cribs not only have a smaller footprint but also stand on wheels, allowing you to move them around your home. Furthermore, most portable mini cribs also fold down for easy storage. That is a handy feature for those places where the crib is not in use every day (grandparents’, caregivers’ home, etc.).
Top 3 Portable Mini Cribs:
Editor’s Choice:
Babyletto Origami portable mini crib with wheels
The Babyletto Origami is a high-quality, stylish, and modern portable mini crib. It stands on quality wheels, easily folds down, and fits into small spaces while retaining a comfortable sleeping area for your baby.
Runner Up:
DaVinci Dylan folding portable 3-in-1 mini crib and twin bed
Portability usually excludes convertibility, but not on this one! The DaVinci Dylan is a space-efficient, folding, portable mini crib on wheels that also converts into a twin-size bed.
Best Budget Buy:
Delta Children folding portable mini baby crib
By deciding on this portable mini crib, you might get a little less, but you pay a lot less too! Its design is not so sophisticated, but it fits with various furniture. And most importantly, it is safe and meets all required safety standards!
→ You can find a full list of our favorite portable mini cribs below!
Are you looking for a mini crib suitable for travel?
Before I continue, I want to eliminate any confusion. The portability of mini portable cribs is limited to your home. In theory, some of them fit into a car trunk, but they are not suitable for travel.
If you need a crib that you can take anywhere you go, think about a travel crib or Pack ‘N Play.
Convertible mini crib
I understand you are looking for a portable mini crib. However, if you end up finding this page while browsing for mini cribs in general, you may also like our list of the best convertible mini cribs.
Portable mini cribs Buyer’s Guide
Things you should know when buying a portable mini crib on wheels:
Best Portable Mini Cribs on Wheels in 2023
Editor’s Choice:
Babyletto Origami Mini Portable Crib with Wheels
Why we love it:
The Babyletto Origami is a stylish portable mini crib, perfect for modern families. I am impressed by its simple yet highly functional design!
The Babyletto Origami is a sturdy and durable mini crib with clean lines and a small footprint. While you can squeeze it into really small spaces, it offers the most available sleeping area that a mini crib can give!
The Babyletto Origami portable mini crib stands on smoothly gliding wheels. Those who have rugs will appreciate that they run nicely and don’t linger on almost any type of rug as well. Yes, the wheels work well, but a reliable locking mechanism makes sure the crib doesn’t move when the baby is in it!
The Babyletto Origami also folds down for easy storage. That is perfect for those places where the crib is not in use all the time (grandparents, caregivers’ house, etc.).
The next thing that makes me like the Babyletto Origami mini crib so much is its wide selection of different non-toxic finishes. I especially like unique tones, such as Lagoon or Petal Pink, but of course, it is also available in plain shades!
Runner Up:
DaVinci Dylan Folding Portable 3-in-1 Mini Crib and Twin Bed
Why we love it:
Those who are buying a mini crib have to decide between portability and convertibility. One usually excludes the other! However, there are few exceptions, and the DaVinci Dylan portable mini crib is the best amongst them!
The DaVinci Dylan is a mini crib of various features combined into a compact, space-efficient design. This mini crib is portable and convertible!
It does not convert into a toddler bed or daybed, yet it can transit into a twin-size bed, meaning it can last above the toddler’s age.
The DaVinci Dylan stands on removable caster wheels with a reliable locking mechanism. You can assemble it as a portable or stationary crib, which are actually its first and second conversions, and further add to its versatility.
The crib folds with all the parts folding into itself, which is handy for those who do not use it every day.
Best Budget Buy:
Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib
Why we love it:
We were going back and forth between this mini crib and Dream On Me portable mini crib. They are practically the same, but the Delta Children is cheaper, and parents seem to love it more!
Both are lightweight mini cribs with a small footprint, smoothly gliding wheels, and a quality folding mechanism. But the thing that raises the eyebrows is the lack of a locking mechanism on the Delta Children’s wheels.
While this is a disadvantage compared to other mini cribs on the list, it doesn’t seem to divert people from purchase. The Delta Children has hundreds of positive reviews! It is not only the best-selling portable mini crib but one of the best-selling cribs overall. Yet, I wouldn’t recommend it if it would not meet all required federal safety standards!
The Delta Children is a great portable mini crib, especially for the money you pay!
Unique Choice:
Davinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib
Why we love it:
The DaVinci Alpha is the only portable mini crib on the list that doesn’t fold down without disassembly. Still, it stands on rolling feet and features a space-saving design, so it belongs among portable mini models.
DaVinci Alpha’s wheels glide smoothly and possess a reliable locking mechanism to keep the crib stationary. Meaning, as for its portability, everything is as it should be!
By removing the wheels, the Alpha gets a whole new function, which is, by the way, very cool. It becomes a rocking crib! Gentle rocking movements comforts babies and nurse them into sleep. Of course, it can remain in place too. It has rocking stops, which will hold it in a sturdy standstill if needed.
The DaVinci Alpha mini rocking crib is unique and charming. I like it either as a portable or rocking mini crib. And if you do not need a folding feature, it is worth your consideration!
Good Value for the Price:
Dream On Me Jett Non-Full Size Folding Crib
Why we love it:
The Dream On Me Jett is very similar to our best portable mini crib, Babyletto Origami. I could say it is its cheaper alternative. Well, in almost all cases.
The Dream On Me Jett price varies between finishes, and it is not equal for all finishes like on the Origami mini crib. When I was writing this list, you could get a Pink Jett crib for an affordable $165, while you would have to pay $270 for the Espresso.
The Dream On Me Jett is might a little less sophisticated than the Origami. You can see few screws from the outside, but that’s pretty much all. Overall, I like the Dream On Me Jett appearance a lot!
The Dream On Me Jett is a quality and safe portable mini crib, which does not lag behind Origami’s features. It stands on smoothly gliding wheels with a locking mechanism, has adjustable mattress support, and folds down for storage.
The Jett is also around one inch shorter and lighter from the Origami. Not much, but maybe it helps someone make a decision.
Best Portable Mini Crib with Arch:
Dream On Me Venice Folding Portable Crib
Why we love it:
The Dream On Me Venice is a little bigger than other mini cribs on the list. It makes the impression you are looking at a convertible mini crib, yet it is portable.
The Dream On Me Venice stands on wheels and folds down for easy storage. I think its industrial-looking wheels could be a little more appealing, but that is just my opinion. Lots of parents seem to like them. They are also quality-made, glides smoothly, and possess a reliable locking mechanism.
Anyway, caster wheels are optional, meaning you can leave the Venice crib without them and use it as a stationary crib. I know you are looking for a portable mini crib, so that’s probably not particularly important to you, but it is nice to know you have that option.
The Dream On Me Venice is the best choice for those who like curvy cribs with arched back pannels but couldn’t fit a full-size crib in their home.
Best Metal Portable Mini Crib:
L.A. Baby Deluxe Holiday Mini/Portable Folding Metal Crib
Why we love it:
L.A. Baby Deluxe Holiday mini crib is for those who need a durable crib on wheels that can easily fold away.
It has a metal frame, so it is sturdy, scratch and damage resistant, and easy to clean. That makes it a perfect crib for daycares and other caregivers, but sometimes it finds its place in the nursery too.
The L.A. Baby Deluxe Holiday stands on wheels with a reliable locking mechanism. The crib can also fold down. That is not typical for metal cribs, though it’s very convenient and makes the L.A. Baby Deluxe Holiday the best portable mini metal crib.
The crib weighs more than wooden models, but it is not too heavy. Wheels of collapsed crib work, so there is no need to carry the crib around anyway.
The L.A. Baby Deluxe mini crib is a simple-looking metal crib. They could change the wheels’ blue bumpers into white, but there is no need to install them for home usage.
Portable Mini cribs are becoming more and more popular!
Demand for all mini cribs, not just portable ones, has been increasing in recent years. Today’s lifestyle forces us to live in cities, in smaller homes, urban lofts, etc.
Many young families are limit by space, and a mini crib is a convenient, rational, and safe solution for their little ones.
Of course, there are other reasons to choose a mini crib, but the space issue stays the main one.
You can opt for a convertible or portable mini crib. While both are suitable, I suggest those living in really tiny apartments rather think about a portable model. They can push the crib away or fold it down when it is not in use, which is very convenient.
I can imagine, the variety of different options can be overwhelming for young parents, so we’ve narrowed it down to a list of the best portable mini cribs in 2023 above.
How do we choose our favorites?
We’ve asked parents what portable mini crib they love the most, then took the top of most-loved models they have shared with us and added our research and insight. To identify the best mini portable cribs, we have reviewed features, including wheels and their locking mechanism, folding mechanism, safety, design, etc.
When to choose a portable mini crib?
- Think about a portable mini crib if a full-size crib does not fit into your home.
- Think about a portable mini crib if you intend to use it around your home in different rooms.
- If you want co-sleeping with your baby, pick room-sharing over bed-sharing. The American Pediatric Association recommends co-sleeping for the first six months, and a crib next to your bed is the safest option for such practice. Of course, many of us don’t have huge bedrooms with enough room for a standard crib, and a mini crib is its best alternative.
- If you think about buying a baby bassinet, think about a portable mini crib instead. A mini portable crib is a more long-term solution for keeping your baby closeby as you sleep. Lots of time, it even costs less than a bassinet.
- A portable mini crib is an excellent decision for the grandparents’ home. Grandparents should think about purchasing a portable mini crib that also folds down. They can fold it down and store it away until another use.
- Durable, scratch-resistant portable metal mini cribs, such as the L.A. Baby Delux Holiday crib, are perfect for daycares. Metal portable mini cribs are sturdy and will last long!
Mini portable cribs vs. Full-Size portable cribs
1. Size and weight:
Mini portable cribs have smaller dimensions but the same features as standard size models.
Mini portable cribs also weigh less than full-size models.
2. Portability:
Portable mini cribs have better portability than full-size models due to their smaller size and weight.
Full-size and mini crib’s portability is primarily bound to the home. And this is where the smaller dimensions of mini models come to the fore. While mini portable cribs fit through standard room door frames, you could have problems with standard-size models.
3. Longability:
Children outgrow mini portable cribs sooner than full-size portable cribs.
4. Folding mechanism:
Almost all mini portable cribs fold down for easy storage, but that’s not self-evident on full-size portable cribs.
Even further, the best portable mini cribs fold down pretty small, so some of them even fit into a car trunk. In theory, you can take a portable mini crib with you wherever you go. But do not forget that this is not a travel crib or Pack ‘N Play.
Mini Crib VS. Pack ‘N Play & Travel Crib:
As I wrote above, is the mobility of mini cribs tied to moving around the house. For travel, rather choose a travel crib or Pack ‘N Play.
For a better idea of their differences, you can take a look at the pictures below. As you can see, travel cribs and Pack ‘N Plays are lighter and fold smaller.
Size and weight of a mini crib:
Size and weight of a travel crib:
Size and weight of a Pack ‘N Play:
