Best Toddler Travel Beds

Do you have a toddler and planning on some future adventures? You want to ensure you have the right sleep set-up for him/her to maximize your adventure plans. No one wants a tired and cranky toddler or sleep deprived parents. The solution is a toddler travel bed.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. Rest assured all products I suggest are products I have bought or would buy based on personal experience or through my network of other mommas.

Summary Of Best Toddler Travel Bed

Product	Category	Size Sleeping Area	Features
Check Amazon Price	Best 1 Year Old Travel Bed	27"W by 40"L	Lightweight Durable Storage Bag + Handle Breathable Mesh Sides Easy To Clean

Why Do You Need a Toddler Travel Bed?

This is the golden question and the answer will help you to understand which travel toddler bed is best for you and your family. There are many considerations in selecting a travel bed.  Probably the two most important considerations are; 

1. what type of travel are you planning, (international or domestic)
2. which method of traveling, (car or plane) will you be doing.

If you are traveling by plane check out Tips For Flying With Toddlers.

Toddler Travel Bed Considerations for International Travel

International travel requires more consideration. One popular type of traveling toddler bed is an inflatable bed, which usually comes with an electric pump. The pump may not work outside of the country in which you purchased the pump.  

For example, if you are like me and live in the United States, that electric pump would not work on a trip to England. When visiting the in-laws a US electric pump would not work without an outlet converter.

If you are flying internationally the size and weight of the bed are more important. The concept of free hold luggage on flights has all but disappeared and now you must pay for the privilege. The smaller you can compact your luggage and the lighter the weight the better.

Picture of my two kids with their two cousins on a family vacation to New Hampshire, we definitely needed to bring portable toddler beds!

Portable Toddler Travel Bed Considerations for Road Trips

If you foresee most of your travel via road trips an inflatable bed could work. However, size will still be a consideration as you don’t want the toddler bed to take up half the trunk! Or you want to consider how easy setting up the toddler bed will be, personally I don’t want to spend 10 minutes struggling to blow up a bed!

Are you going to be using this bed to camp? If you plan to hike with your toddler you might not have easy access to an electrical outlet to connect a pump for an inflatable bed. 

Some people consider using a portable bed at a grandparent’s house, and might leave the portable bed there to be stored. This gives you the most flexibility as you will not be carting the bed back and forth. 

Personally, I wanted a bed that I could use in all different types of situations for my two toddlers. We have family abroad, I foresee us hiking with the boys, and I like to have a portable option for when we stay at friends' houses and family vacations.

I wanted just one travel bed to fit all my variable needs.

Benefits of a Toddler Travel Bed

If your child sleeps in a toddler bed then you will want a portable bed for them when away from home.  Your toddler is used to sleeping on their own and while away giving him/her their own bed will not only help them sleep better but make your life easier! 

Some parents choose to co-sleep with their toddlers outside of their home, but personally I don't sleep as well with my toddler.  Have you seen how toddlers sleep? Toddlers often end up sleeping horizontally across the bed, and there is always the worry that they would fall out of an adult size bed.

Another major benefit to toddlers having their own sleep space is that toddlers tend to have earlier bedtimes than adults. My 3 year old’s and 16 month old's bedtime is between 7 and 7:30 p.m. After I put them to sleep my husband and I have childfree time.

I value child free time and even more so on vacation.  Providing your toddler their own space to sleep frees the parents up to do as they please while your toddler sleeps.

When a Pack-n-play Doesn’t Work Anymore

A Pack-n-play is the universal travel crib for babies. They work great for road trips wth a baby. There are other travel crib products out there but by far the most common is the pack-n-play.

Hotels and Airbnbs often have one available upon request. However, Pack-n-Plays have the feel of a crib and once your toddler is no longer in a crib at home he/she most likely will not be happy going back to one.

If your little one is still in a crib you can read Best Baby Travel Cribs.

The height limit of Pack-n-Plays are 35 inches which a toddler will outgrow between the ages of 2-3.  The weight limit is around 30 lbs, depending on the brand. Your toddler is quickly going to feel cramped in a Pack-n-play and sooner or later you will need to change your portable sleeping arrangements.

What To Look For In A Travel Toddler Bed

1. Size: Travel Beds come in all different sizes. If your toddler is on the tall size you will want to make sure he/she won't outgrow the travel bed too quickly. Some companies have a larger version, such as Regalo My Cot Extra Long.
2. Type of Bed: Travel Beds come in a cot style, blowup or ground mat. Blowup travel bed require a pump, which are commonly sold with the bed.
3. Weight: Best travel beds are lightweight. Who likes lugging around heavy equipment?
4. Compact Dimensions: If planning on taking on a plane you will need a bed to fit in your suitcase
5. Safety: A toddler bed shouldn't have been recalled! Also the bed should pass all safety requirements
6. Set Up Time and Ease: Travel Cots are quick and easy to set-up. Blowup beds take more time and effort.

Best Overall Travel Toddler Bed

Regalo My Cot

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Regalo My Cot works regardless of the reason you need a portable toddler bed.  It is the lightest product, not dependent upon a pump, the easiest to set up and clean, and the price is right.   My toddler loves sleeping on his cot!  

This travel toddler cot collapses and fits in my standard suitcase making it airplane ready! 

It’s compact size also makes it easy to pack in the back of the car for the many road trips we take. It can also fit in a tent and work when camping with your toddler.

The cot comes with a sheet that fits the bed and comes in both pink and blue.

Pro Tip: Put a waterproof crib mattress sheet between the cot and the sheet to make it more spill/pee proof.

The cot is made from steel and is very strong. The toddler travel cot size is fit for kids aged 2 to 5 years old. The cot can hold weight to 75lbs.

Honestly I don’t see how you can go wrong with this portable toddler bed option!

Almost three year old has plenty of space on this travel cot!

Pros of Regalo My Cot

• Lightweight 6.25 lbs
• No set-up time
• Compacts easily into suitcase
• Cotton sheet provided
• Strong construction with steel frame
• Easy to Clean
• Affordable

Cons of Regalo My Cot

• No travel bag
• Can't sit with toddler on bed

Best Inflatable Portable Toddler Bed

Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed - Best Travel Beds for 2 Year Olds

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If you already know you want an inflatable travel bed you can’t beat the Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed. This bed is ideal for a toddler who is sleeping in a crib  at home. This toddler bed has taller bed rail bumpers to ensure your little one stays within the bed. 

This Inflatable bed comes with a pump and takes less than 30 seconds to inflate. Other inflatable beds can take several minutes to set up! The inner mattress fits a standard crib sheet, which means you probably already have some sheets floating around.

The Hiccapop Inflatable bed comes with a lifetime guarantee against punctures, leaks and complications with the pump, again something competitors are not offering. The bed is designed with a double reinforced seam in the vinyl material which makes it less likely to puncture.

The portable toddler bed can support up to 310 lbs which gives you the option of sitting down next to your toddler to read his/her’s favorite bedtime story!

The bed weighs 8lbs and comes with a large bag for easy storage and transportation The pump, however, would not be suitable outside the country in which you purchase the product. 

Pros of Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed

• Less than 30 seconds to inflate
• Lifetime guarantee
• Inner mattress fits standard crib sheets
• Storage bag
• Tall rail bumpers on all four sides
• Great for toddlers used to cribs
• Weight limit of 310lbs

Cons of Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed

• Pump not compatible outside country of origin
• Bulkier to Bring
• Strong initial plastic smell

Best Stored Travel Toddler Bed

Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed

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Perhaps you want a portable toddler bed that will stay at another person’s house, and in that case you will want one that can easily be stored.  The Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed would be a great fit, especially for your young toddler who is making the transition at home to a toddler bed. 

There are even some parents who buy this for their transition bed to a big kid bed at home!

Milliard Toddler Bed is bulkier than the others, but folds up into a suitcase with a handle that has room in the center to store a child’s blanket, pj’s, stuffies and more. The product weighs more than the others at 10.3 lbs. It’s folded dimensions are 27 inches high, 25 inches across and 14.5 inches deep.

I personally think it is a  better fit to store at someone else’s house rather than carry it back and forth, although it can certainly be used for that as well.  If you mainly go on road trips and have a large vehicle this portable toddler bed is a great option.

The Milliard Toddler Bed comes with soft bumpers easing the transition away from a crib towards a bed and is suitable for a child as young as 18 months old. The bed comes with a fitted sheet and all the fabric can be removed via a zipper to wash clean. The bed is designed with durable foam that can never puncture like an inflatable bed can.

As long as you don’t mind the extra weight and dimensions this portable toddler bed will be a hit. 

Pros of Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed

• Soft bumpers make suitable for child as young as 18 months
• Comes with fitted sheets
• Bed folds to a suitcase with handle 
• Ability to store items in the folded bed
• Ability to remove fabric and wash

Cons of Milliard Portable Toddler Bumper Bed

• More costly
• One of the bulkier travel toddler beds

Best Travel Toddler Nap Mat

Everyday Kids Toddler Nap Mat

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Everyday Kids Toddler Nap Mat is a portable toddler bed for families on the go. This super lightweight microfiber polyester option at 1.6 lbs can easily transported no matter where you go. Bring it outside for an outdoor nap or along for day trips at friends. Your 3 year old can carry it with its convinient handle!

This toddler nap mat is ideal for the older toddler 3 and up. A younger toddler used to a crib might not stay in to sleep.

When your kid sleeping is done just roll up the mat and use the velcro straps to secure. If your child is used to a firm mattress he/she might do great with this mat overnight.

This nap mat can be used for naps, overnight, or camping in warm weather. It measures 20 inches wide by 50 inches long with the comforter 29 inches wide, similar size to the Regalo My Cot, just not raised off the floor.

Pros of Everyday Kids Toddler Nap Mat

• Lightweight 1.6 lbs
• Warm Comforter Like Blanket
• Rollup Design
• Machine Wash
• Fun Patterns for Both Boys and Girls
• Carrying Handles

Cons of Everyday Kids Toddler Nap Mat

• Not Suitable for young toddler only 3+
• Can be hard for overnight sleep

What Travel Bed is Best for a 2 Year Old, a Blowup Bed or Cot?

Many newly 2 year olds have not traditional to a traditional bed at home. If you have not transitioned your 2 year old yet a cot might not work. A cot doesn't come with sides and could be confusing for a crib sleeper.

Some blowup beds come with bumpers, such as the Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Bed. This bed will be easier for a crib sleeping toddler to use on trips. Only downside is that an inflatable bed takes longer to set up and take down.

A 2 year old who is used to a normal bed can either sleep in a cot or inflatable bed. Parent's choice.

What Type of Travel Bed is Best for a 3 Year Old?

A cot is a great choice for a 3 year old. At this age your toddler should have transitioned away from the crib into a normal bed. Your toddler will know how to sleep in a cot and I love the quick set up of this option.

Tips For Successfully Using A Toddler Travel Bed

• Let your toddler help pick out travel bed colors or design (if applicable)
• Try the travel bed at home first.
• When away create same sleeping atmosphere away as at home. Think bedtime routine and sound machines
• Bring a blanket your toddler is used to sleeping with
• Don't forget the toddler travel pillow!

Hope you found this article helpful in selecting your perfect toddler travel bed.