Best Portable Toddler Bed Guide For Travelling In 2024

Investing in a portable toddler bed is a great way to make sleepovers at Granny and Grandad’s easy and convenient as well as ensure trips away from home are consistent and cheaper as you avoid having to pay for an extra bed (which is usually very uncomfortable!).

So here are the best portable toddler bed options that you can buy right now:

Our Top Pick
Best Budget
  • Removable easy-to-clean mattress
  • Standard crib sheet compatible
  • Heavy-duty materials to prevent punctures
  • BPA, phthalate and lead-free
  • Electric pump included
  • Lifetime guarantee - No questions asked!
  • Comes with carry bag
  • Hand pump included
  • Designed to reduce noise
  • Sturdy 4 wall bumper frame
Our Top Pick
  • Removable easy-to-clean mattress
  • Standard crib sheet compatible
  • Heavy-duty materials to prevent punctures
  • BPA, phthalate and lead-free
  • Electric pump included
  • Lifetime guarantee - No questions asked!
Best Budget
  • Comes with carry bag
  • Hand pump included
  • Designed to reduce noise
  • Sturdy 4 wall bumper frame

Best Portable Toddler Bed – Hiccapop Portable Mattress

My Top Pick
Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Perfect for families who enjoy road trips, sleepovers and camping, this robust and super comfy portable toddler bed from Hiccapop will ensure your little one stays safe and sleeps deeply no matter where you put them down! Its clever design also means it's incredibly easy to assemble and pack away (even if it isn't folded correctly!)

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Designed and engineered at Stanford University to provide you with the safest, most durable and most convenient inflatable toddler mattress on the market, this portable toddler bed from Hiccapop is a must-have for any travelling family. 

Built to last with inlay-reinforced vinyl 40% thicker than its nearest competitor, complete with reinforced weld seams and a heavy-duty leak-proof air valve… This mattress will survive even the most enthusiastic mattress jumper!

And, their velvet-flocked mattress insert is the smoothest in its class, helping your little one to sleep more soundly no matter where you are staying and it also fits any standard crib sheet and blanket perfectly.

Hiccapop has also thought long and hard about the longevity of their mattress and so they offer a lifetime guaranteeNo questions asked. 

As well as ensuring their bed has a higher maximum weight capacity (300lbs) than its competitors (around 150lbs) and a 25% longer length to ensure your toddler can use this bed for a lot longer as they grow.

Brilliantly, Hiccapop has also included a high-speed electric pump and an extra large travel bag to make assembling and packing up this bed as convenient and speedy as possible (even if you don’t fold it up properly!)

Best Budget Portable Toddler Bed – Index Kidz Travel Bed

Intex - Kidz Travel Bed with Hand Pump

Designed with 4 full walls and comfort in mind, Index has created a budget-friendly, adaptable and reliable portable toddler bed suitable for a range of toddler travel needs as well as helping with bed transitions and extra seating for movie nights!

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The Intex portable toddler bed is a great option for parents who do occasional road trips and overnight stays at friends’ houses but are not constantly away from home.

Consisting of 2 pieces, the walls and the inner mattress, this bed is incredibly easy to assemble and can be used with any standard crib sheet.

Designed with walls on all 4 sides, this travel bed is also a fantastic option for younger toddlers who have only recently transitioned from a crib to a big bed and for little nighttime wrigglers. 

It’s worth mentioning that this portable toddler bed comes with a manual pump which will take about 8 minutes to fully inflate… however, you can always consider getting an electric pump to speed up the process as the valve is a standard size.

Why Should You Use Portable Toddler Beds?

Portable toddler beds are a great space-saving sleep option for travelling families and regular Granny and Grandad’s go-ers without compromising on your little one’s safety or comfort. 

They also make great spare beds for visiting cousins and can easily be used as extra seating for family movie nights.

Portable toddler beds can also be used to help your little one learn how to transition from a crib to a big bed without becoming overwhelmed by the sudden change.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Portable Toddler Bed?

Choosing the right portable toddler bed is very important to avoid jeopardising your little one’s established bedtime routine when out and about.

Plus, travelling with your toddler can be a challenge at the best of times… so knowing that you have the best portable toddler bed to suit your family’s needs will ensure you all get a good night’s sleep no matter where you are!

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Portable Toddler Bed

1. Is it safe for my child? Safety always comes first when it comes to where your little one sleeps. So ensure your portable bed complies with all the necessary safety features and is made from child-safe materials.

2. Is it comfortable? Comfort is key to a good night’s sleep so read reviews about the comfort of your chosen bed. Check the materials it is made from and see if anyone has mentioned it making a noise when your toddler moves too!

3. What size is it? Nobody wants a bulky bed to carry around or to end up with a huge bed that fits nowhere. So check the bed’s measurements carefully before buying to ensure it fits the room as well as your child!

4. How heavy is it? Equally, you don’t want to be lugging a heavy bed around on your travels. Anything about 10 lbs (4.5kg) and under is fine.

5. How easy is it to set up and put away? Can it be carried easily? Is it easy to assemble or inflate? Does it come with a built-in pump? Does it come with a storage bag? Does it have a repair kit? Is it easy to clean?

6. Is it crib sheet compatible? Some portable toddler beds require a special-sized sheet. To avoid unnecessary costs, look for a mattress that will fit with your existing standard crib sheets.

7. Will it have a long life? Ensuring your portable bed can withstand the abuse a toddler can throw at it is always a wise check. You don’t want the bed to deflate after just one night!

Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Toddler Beds

Looking for more information about portable toddler beds? Find answers to the most common questions here.

Is 2 Years Too Early To Use A Toddler Bed?

Most portable toddler beds are designed for children ages 2 years and up so will be perfectly safe for most toddlers. 

However, it’s worth checking the age recommendations before you buy a portable toddler bed. 

NOTE: If your little one has not yet transitioned from a crib to a big bed, you may find that a travel pen or pack-n-play crib is a more suitable portable toddler bed option for now.

What’s The Most Comfortable Portable Bed?

Personally, I believe the Hiccapop bed is the most comfortable portable toddler bed, however, every child is different and you may need to see what works best for them.

Inflatable beds usually provide the comfiest night’s sleep for your toddler…. Although, roll-out mattresses can also be very comfortable options too.

Can A 2 Year Old Sleep On An Air Bed?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission state that “children under the age of 15 months should not sleep on an air bed.”

Therefore, your 2 year old can safely sleep on a conventional air bed. 

However, I would state that an inflatable portable toddler bed is still a better option than a standard air bed due to the fact that it offers more comfort and is specially designed for little bodies to sleep on.

Are Portable Infant Sleepers Safe?

If you are considering using a portable infant sleeper always ensure that they are age-appropriate for your little one.

Avoid sleep pods and nests for young babies as they are not safe for overnight sleeping and opt for portable infant bassinets that are perfectly safe for your little one to sleep in.

Remember that under 15 months of age you should not be putting your little one to sleep in anything but a crib with a firm mattress that is well-ventilated and uncluttered. 

But after this age, they can happily sleep on an approved portable toddler bed.

Our Top Pick
Best Budget
  • Removable easy-to-clean mattress
  • Standard crib sheet compatible
  • Heavy-duty materials to prevent punctures
  • BPA, phthalate and lead-free
  • Electric pump included
  • Lifetime guarantee - No questions asked!
  • Comes with carry bag
  • Hand pump included
  • Designed to reduce noise
  • Sturdy 4 wall bumper frame
Our Top Pick
  • Removable easy-to-clean mattress
  • Standard crib sheet compatible
  • Heavy-duty materials to prevent punctures
  • BPA, phthalate and lead-free
  • Electric pump included
  • Lifetime guarantee - No questions asked!
Best Budget
  • Comes with carry bag
  • Hand pump included
  • Designed to reduce noise
  • Sturdy 4 wall bumper frame

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Author Image Bio
Paula McLaren is the founder of Teething to Tantrums and a highly qualified childcare expert with over 40 years of experience as a Norland Nanny. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Development & Learning (0-6 Years) and the prestigious Norland Diploma. Paula has worked as a night nanny, run a successful daycare center in London, and helped raise countless children using her tried and tested developmental and guidance methods.

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