The 11 Best Pack and Plays for Naps and Playtime, Tested by Parents

Other Notable Pack and Plays 

• Summer Infant Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard: We liked that this playard was sturdy and low to the ground, but it was awkward to carry around when assembled and when folded up, making portability a real issue.
• Graco Pack 'n Play Sit 'N Grow Playard: The pack and play itself was easy to set up, but it came with a lot of accessories that took a while to put together, leaving us overwhelmed by the thought of traveling with it or even moving it from one room to another in our house. 

Our Testing Process 

To find the best pack and plays, we tested nearly 30 models, assessing each one on ease of setup, durability, portability, design, and overall value. First, we recorded how long it took to assemble each pack and play. We attached any additional items, like changing tables and mobiles, then evaluated how stable, sturdy, and comfortable the pack and play and its accessories felt. We performed a durability test to ensure each product could withstand the weight of a baby by dropping a 25-pound sandbag onto the mattress several times, eliminating any that shifted, sagged, or otherwise seemed unsafe.

Next, we attempted to carry each pack and play through a standard doorway while fully set up to see if it would fit, since you may be moving yours from room to room. Finally, we collapsed each product, timing how long it took to pack it away, assessed how well it fit into its storage bag, and carried it around with us for several minutes to see how easy it was to transport. We considered all of these factors, along with any additional features, against the price to determine whether it represented a good overall value.

Our Experts

We also spoke with several pediatric experts throughout the testing and review process:

• Ben Hoffman, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health & Science University and the president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Amanda Stovall, M.D., a pediatrician with Springfield Clinic in Illinois.
• Elizabeth Murray, DO, MBA, FAAP, who is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine. She is also a professor of clinical emergency medicine at the University of Rochester and serves as the Faculty Director for Child Health & Safety Communications at GCH.

We also got input from several experienced parents, including:

• Abby Mercer, Parents Visual Editor and mom to a son who currently uses a pack and play.
• Amy Kwan, a parenting product tester who used a pack and play with her son until he outgrew it. 

Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Pack and Play

• Pack and Play, Playard, or Travel Crib? The terms are generally used interchangeably to describe a four-walled structure for babies and toddlers to sleep and play in. There are some exceptions. Sometimes the term “playard” will be used to describe a gated structure meant only to contain a child within a certain area. But usually, “pack and play” and “travel crib” refer to the same type of product: a portable crib structure that can be folded up and traveled with, used for either playing or sleeping.
• Ease of Setup: If you’re not planning on traveling with your pack and play, it doesn’t have to be super easy to set up and collapse. A one-handed setup is handy, but not essential. Choose an option that isn’t overly complicated with accessories. This increases your odds of putting things together wrong or losing parts and pieces.
• Portability: If you’re a traveling family, you’ll want a pack and play that pops up and collapses with little effort, fits easily into a travel bag, and is comfortable and lightweight to carry around. Also, consider portability within your house. Can the pack and play fit through doorways without collapsing? Is it too heavy or awkward for one person to move on their own? Dr. Hoffman says portability throughout your own home is actually more important than outside of it—the more complicated it is to move your pack and play from point A to point B, the more you may find yourself relying on sleep surfaces that aren’t as safe.
• Height/Weight Limit: All pack and plays have different age or height/weight limits for safe use, so you’ll need to consider if your unit can last through the ages and stages you want it to. “Most children can safely use pack and plays until around 2 to 3 years old,” says Dr. Stovall, “[but] be sure to check the height/weight regulations on your specific [unit] as they may vary slightly.” Generally speaking, Dr. Stovall says pack and plays are safe for kids up to 30 pounds and 35 inches tall, but as soon as your child can climb out of the pack and play, they should be transitioned to a new sleeping or playing space.
• Cost: You don’t necessarily have to pay more to get the accessories and convenience you need. Most often, a higher price tag means a more modern, aesthetically pleasing design and sometimes more durability and sturdiness. If it’s important to you that your pack and play match your decor, or that it can be used again in the future for another child, you may want to shell out for a more expensive option. Otherwise, opt for the brand that suits your budget and gives you whatever usage options you need. 

How to Use Pack and Plays Safely

Pack and plays are designed to be safe spaces for babies to sleep and play, but parents still have to implement safety precautions when using them. According to Dr. Hoffman, the most important things to keep in mind regarding safe use of a pack and play are:

• Ensure your pack and play meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
• Put your baby down to sleep on their back without any stuffed toys, bumpers, or blankets, and put the pack and play on a flat surface in a safe place. 
• Discontinue using bassinet attachments for sleep once your baby starts to be able to roll over.
• Discontinue using a pack and play once your child can climb out, as this poses a fall risk.
• Keep the pack and play away from anything in the room that poses a safety risk, like cords from window blinds or top-heavy furniture.
• Positioners or nappers that allow a baby to be at an incline should never be used for infant sleep. 
• Only use sheets that come with the unit or that are made specifically for that brand and model to ensure they are tight-fitting.

Do I need a pack and play?

If you’re planning to have your baby sleep in a traditional crib and don’t expect to be doing much traveling as a family, you may decide not to invest in a pack and play. But pack and plays aren’t just for nighttime sleeping or traveling, so you should also think about their other potential uses. If any family members will be regularly babysitting your child in their homes, a pack and play is a nice alternative to a permanent crib. Some people also take them to parks, beaches, and playgrounds so their baby has a spot to nap on the go. And remember that they can also be used as playards, providing a safe place for your baby to hang out during the day wherever you are.

Is a pack and play as good as a crib?

Pack and plays that have a firm, flat mattress can be safely used as a crib, says Dr. Stovall. But make sure you set up the pack and play according to current safe sleep guidelines by using a taut sheet on the mattress and keeping the sleeping space clear of any pillows, blankets, and toys. 

Can you use a crib mattress in a pack and play?

You should only ever use the mattress that comes with your pack and play—this is the mattress that was used during the safety testing; any other type of mattress could not only damage the integrity of your pack and play but make it unsafe for your baby. And anyway, most pack and plays are smaller than cribs, so a crib mattress wouldn’t fit properly. “Make sure you’re using the mattress that came [with your product], not a secondary mattress,” says Dr. Hoffman, “if it doesn't fit perfectly, there can be gaps that [increase the risk of] entrapment.” 

Who We Are

Sarah Bradley is a Parents writer from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and three sons. As a homeschooling mom who works part-time, she understands the value of shopping for parenting products that are not only safe and affordable but make family life easier. (Plus, her second kid slept in a pack and play for nine months, so she knows her way around a Graco.)