We have always travelled with our children, even when they were just little babies, and quickly discovered how valuable a portable baby cot is. Even when we aren’t travelling, having a baby portacot on hand is very useful.
We found the best travel portacot was perfect for staying with grandparents, visiting friends and even doubling as a playpen or a sleeping space in our living area.
There are a lot of top portacots for sale making the most difficult part working out which one is right for you. You only need to read some portacot reviews to see the range of different portable travel cot options available – all with different features and with various brands claiming to have to best portacot Australia has for sale.
But you needn’t feel overwhelmed by all the baby travel cots Australia has on offer.
Click here to see the best portacot on eBay now!
To help ease the overwhelm, I have put together this best portacot 2023 guide. I not only take you through the features of the best travel cot Australia has, but also help you understand all the portacot jargon so you can work out what features you actually need.
I hope after reading these travel cot reviews you’ll be less overwhelmed and more confident in choosing the perfect cot for you and your baby’s needs.
Contents
Best Portacot Australia 2023 Comparison Chart
| Name | Type | Weight | Wheels | Dimensions | Price | Features | Rating |
| Giantex 3in1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot | Big, Standard | 10.4 kg | Yes | 100x70x74.5cm | Click here | Bassinet, change table, hanging toys, music box | 4.5 |
| Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot on eBay | Big, Standard | 10.6 kg | No | 120×77.5x77cm | Click here | Storage pocket, extra large size, soft mesh walls | 4.0 |
| BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light on eBay | Small, Travel | 5 kg | No | 112x82x64cm | Click here | Airy mesh fabric, one move set-up | 4.0 |
| Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot | Small, Travel | 9 kg | No | 93×22 x37cm | Click here | Can be used from birth with infant insert, carry bag, mesh sides | 4.0 |
| Phil&Teds Traveller Crib on eBay | Small, Travel | 13.5 kg | No | 117x79x63cm | Click here | Self expanding mattress, all-around mesh design | 3.5 |
| Amico Light Travel Cot Portacot on eBay | Small, Travel | 6 kg | No | 165x70x60cm | Click here | Side zip, fully ventilated mesh sides, padded mattress base | 4.0 |
| Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy Travel Cot | Small, Travel | 8 kg | No | 101x74x78cm | Click here | Soft padded mattress, ventilated mesh sides, side zip | 4.5 |
| Bebecare Zuri Timber Travel Cot | Small, Travel | 8 kg | No | 116x84x70cm | Click here | Bassinet, compact fold with folding mattress | 4.5 |
| Love N Care Playland Travel Cot | Small, Travel | 9.6 kg | No | 115x80x78cm | Click here | Breathe easy material | 4.0 |
| Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed | Small, Travel | 0.4 kg | No | 42x37x7cm | Click here | Affordable, easy set-up, super lightweight | 4.5 |
The Best Portacots of 2023
Here’s a handy reference list – see all portacot reviews below!
- Giantex 3in1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot, Travel
- Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot, Big, Standard
- BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light, Small, Travel
- Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot, Small, Travel
- Phil&Teds Traveller Crib, Small, Travel
- Amico Light Travel Cot Portacot, Small, Travel
- Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy, Small, Travel
- Bebecare In & Out Lightweight Travel Cot, Small, Travel
- Love N Care Playland Travel Cot, Small, Travel
- Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed, Small, Travel
Portacot Vs Standard Cot
What is a portacot? A portacot (also referred to as a travel cot or a folding baby cot) is a temporary place for a baby to sleep when a standard cot is not available. Portacots usually have fabric or mesh sides, a removable mattress and can easily be folded up so it can be taken to various places.
The best thing about a portacot is how portable they are. Portacots are lightweight and compact when disassembled making them super easy to transport around so your baby has somewhere safe, comfortable and familiar to sleep no matter where you are.
However these advantages of a portacot are also their disadvantages. Portacots are not as sturdy as a standard cot and so carry some risk (which is why it is vital you purchase a cot that meets the Australian standards, see below for more information).
Usually portacots are much lower to the ground making it more difficult for parents to put baby in as well as take baby out – worth considering when looking to buy portable cot options.
Types of Portacot
Big/Standard-sized Portacots
The most commonly used portacot is a large, standard sized portacot. As the name suggests, a standard sized portacot tends to be reasonably bulky and weighs substantially more than a portacot designed specifically as a baby or toddler travel cot.
Standard sized portacots often include additional features such as a bassinet or a change table, often referred to as a 2 in 1 or a 3 in 1 portacot.
A standard sized portacot is better suited for quick trips, where space is not an issue, for example a sleepover at grandma’s, or a short weekend away.
We also used our standard sized portacot as an additional place for our daughter to sleep during the day so she could stay downstairs in the living room with me.
Travel Cots
Travel cots are much more compact and lightweight than a standard sized portacot, making them perfect for road trips or when travelling by plane. A light weight travel cot can weigh as little as 4kg or less!
In order to be compact and light, travel cots don’t usually have additional features such as a change table. They also tend to be smaller so they may not last your child for as long.
What To Consider When Looking For The Best Portacots 2023
Portacots come in many shapes and sizes and with a range of features. Before purchasing a portacot, give consideration to the following features to ensure you purchase the perfect portacot to meet your individual needs.
Size
The main point of a portacot is to be portable, so your baby will have somewhere to sleep wherever you are. To be portable, you want to purchase one of the compact portacot Australia has for sale, so that when folded up the portacot is nice and compact but also big enough for your child to comfortably sleep and move around freely once assembled.
Weight
As you can see from the comparison chart above, portacots vary greatly in how much they weigh. If you are simply looking to buy a portacot to take on the odd visit to Grandma’s or a friend’s house, the weight of your portacot may not be as important as it would be should you be looking for a portacot that you can be on the move with regularly.
If you are planning on travelling with your portacot by plane of a road trip, look for a super lightweight portacot.
Quick Assembly, Disassembly & Storage
You don’t want to reach your destination only to spend 30 minutes assembling your portacot while you have a cranky crying baby on your hands. Be sure to look at portacots that are known for being easy to set up as well as pack up.
You can get one of the pop up travel cots Australia has available which takes seconds to assemble. Our travel cot reviews Australia will confirm whether a portacot is easy to assemble.
If you are planning on travelling regularly with your portacot you also want to ensure it doesn’t take up too much room to stores away.
Inclusions
Before purchasing a portacot, double check that it comes with everything you need, or if it doesn’t, how easy it is to purchase whatever it is you require.
Does the portacot come with a mattress or is this an additional purchase? Is the mattress inflatable and is the travel cot with good mattress? Does it come with sheets? Can you use standard cot sheets with the portacot or do you need to purchase specially designed sheets?
Don’t just assume that your portacot will include everything you need.
Colour and Design
Like all baby products, portacots come in a range of colours and designs. You may like to purchase a portacot in your child’s favourite colour or with your child’s favourite characters.
If you want to me more practical, I recommend you purchase a portacot in a neutral colour so it can easily be passed down to younger siblings or sold.
Other Special Features
There are a range of additional features that portacots may include. Features may include a portable changer, a bassinet, sleeping pod / rocker and wheels.
Usually the more features, the heavier the portacot and the less portable it becomes. So be sure these additional features are necessary before you purchase a portacot with all the bells and whistles.
Safety Features To Look For In The Best Portable Cot Australia 2023
The most important thing when purchasing a portacot is that it is safe for your child. A poor quality or cheap travel cot can carry the risk of sleeping accidents such as child suffocation or a child becoming trapped. When it comes to portacot safety consider the following:
- Certified – All portable cots Australia wide must meet the mandatory Australian Standard AS/NZS 2195. To ensure you are purchasing one of the safest portacots Australia has, make sure the portacot has a product label clearly stating that it has passed and exceeds the Australian standards. For more information check out the Product Safety Australia’s product safety guidelines and standards.
- Durable and sturdy – The best portacots are high quality and made with well designed materials. Ensure the portacot you purchase has a secure locking mechanism to ensure it won’t collapse as well as being free from any safety hazards such as bumps, sharp edges or protruding parts that could injure your child.
- Good ventilation – The best portacots provide good ventilation for your child to avoid suffocation. This is why you will note that most portacots are the mesh type as this reduces the risk to your child.
- Perfect fit mattress/sheets – It is important that you only use the mattress supplied or specifically designed to go with the portacot to ensure that it is well fitted and suited to that particular portacot. The mattress must be firm and fit snugly without any gaps between the mattress and portacot. This ensures the baby is not trapped between these gaps. Never add an additional mattress to the portacot or additional padding.
- Removable accessories – Check to ensure that all of the accessories, such as bassinet inserts and changing tables can be removed from the portacot when not in use to avoid entanglement and other risks to the child.
Top Portacot Reviews 2023 Australia
Best Portable Cots Australia – Large
Giantex 3in1 Baby Foldable Travel Cot Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Big, Travel
- Weight: 10.4 kg
- Wheels: Yes
- Dimensions: 100x70x74.5cm
Our Giantex 3 in 1 portable cot review found this to be a large option that is quick to assemble and makes a great, comfortable place for your baby to sleep away from home.
This 3 in 1 portacot includes a bassinet for newborn babies, a changing table and can be used as a play centre/cot. Once your baby has reached an appropriate size, simply insert the supplied mattress in the lower level of the full size cot. This mattress is rather thin however and you may want more reinforcement for comfort.
Parents will love the wheels with brakes and the detachable side storage bag. The mesh sides are also great for ventilation and to keep an eye on your little one. Baby will love the musical mobile with three soft toys.
At 10.4 kilograms, this cot is a fair weight, but if offers some great features at a good price.
Benefits:
- Bassinet, change table and cot in one!
- Features hanging toys and a music box
- Compact – easy to transport and store
Drawbacks:
- Thin mattress
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Big, Standard
- Weight: 10.6 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 120×77.5x77cm
For its ease of use and for one of the safest travel cot Australia options, we recommend the Vee Bee Commuter Portable Cot.
This portacot features in our best baby cots Australia due to it’s firm and strong base, supportive sides and quality material. This travel cot baby option is comfortable with airy ventilated sides, a storage pocket, a mattress fitted to the cot and an included carry bag.
Although some childcare portacot review takers have had issues assembling this cot, we had none after following instructions step by step. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, it’s easy to use as the best baby travel cot.
At 10.6kg it’s an extra large commuter cot, but one of the sturdiest and safest travel cot options for parents.
Benefits:
- Mesh walls with pocket – allows great air flow and visibility for parents and storage for baby’s needs
- Includes a mattress that perfectly fits and sits on the sturdy, full support base
- Comes with a carry bag
- 12 month warranty
Drawbacks:
- None found so far
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews on eBay.
Best Travel Cot Australia 2023
BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 5 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 112x82x64cm
If you are after a small travel portacot, the baby Bjorn portacot is a great option. Weighing a mere 6.12 kg, it is one of the lightest in these reviews.
This Baby Bjorn travel cot is so simple to open and fold away and, due to its design, (with the mattress being on the ground) it has no weight restrictions and so is suitable for children up to 3 years. However parents of newborns may find it challenge placing babies in and getting them out with the mattress being so low.
Assembly is easy with this pop up travel cot with the legs unfolding automatically. There are no loose parts to attach and once the included soft mattress is put in, you have a stable, travel portacot lightweight to use at home or away.
Parents will also love the removable and washable cot textiles on this mini portacot which makes for easy cleaning and maintenance.
I have seen this pop up portacot it for varying prices in our local portacot Melbourne stores, and I recommend looking online to get the Baby Bjorn travel cot light best price. You should be able to find the Baby Bjorn travel cot Australia wide.
It is our top pick for parents who want the best compact travel cot of high quality.
Benefits:
- Includes a soft, comfortable mattress & easy to remove, washable fabric
- Child friendly material
- Oeko Tex Standard approved
- Portable & lightweight – 6 kg
Drawbacks:
- Can be expensive but look for good deals on eBay through our link
>> Click here to check the best price and to read more reviews on eBay.
Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 9 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 93x22x37cm
For its ease of use, we recommend the Silver Cross Slumber Travel Cot.
This portacot features in our best baby cots Australia reviews due to it’s firm and solid construction, as well as being one of the safest travel cot Australia options. This is a versatile travel cot baby option suitable from birth with the included infant insert. It features comfortable airy ventilated sides, with one side opening up completely so it can be used as a playpen.
The infant insert can be removed quickly to transform it to a toddler cot, and it all folds up compactly into the included carry bag. Super easy to store under the bed!
As with many portacots the mattress on this one is thin and firm, but it does the job as the the best baby travel cot.
At 9kg, this is a large commuter cot, but sturdy and one of the safest travel cot options for newborns.
Benefits:
- Side wall unzips and opens up
- Includes a newborn insert and can be used from birth
- Includes a carry bag
Drawbacks:
- Hard, thin mattress
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Phil&Teds Traveller Crib Review
Rating: 3.5
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 13.5 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 117x79x63cm
At 2.72 kg, this phil and teds travel cot weighs less than most newborn babies making it the perfect travel portacot.
Being extremely lightweight and compact this phil & teds portacot fits into most aircrafts overhead storage or can even fit it into your suitcase.
Despite coming in several parts, this phil and teds portacot is very fast and easy to put up. It takes no longer than 5 minutes to set up or pack away and it has instructions attached to the inside of the fabric.
Other features of this portacot include a carry bag, insulated self-inflating mattress with mattress sheet, mesh sides ensuring ventilation and visibility and a zip on one side panel provides side access which makes for a great play pen indoors or outside.
You even have the option to buy a top shade mesh separately making it great for outside use.
We have this travel cot and love it although the included bag did wear away quite easily.
Benefits:
- Featherlight – 3.2 kg
- Thermally insulated mattress – provides children soft & warm base
- Includes a carry bag that’s perfect for travels/trips
- Global safety standards certified
Drawbacks:
- Mattress rests on the floor
- Not super stable but it is so light and travel friendly so that’s to be expected
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews on eBay.
Amico Light Travel Cot Portacot Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 6 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 165x70x60cm
This option of the best travel cots Australia offers features a side zipper that makes it easier for parents to place their sleeping kids inside. The ventilated mesh walls allow your child to see what’s happening around them.
Every parent needs a lightweight, high-quality portacot that they can bring along on all their travels. The Amico Light comes with a carrying bag for easy transport. Whether you’re taking off on a family holiday to the other side of the world or bringing your baby to the office for the day, you’ll be able to trust in the safety that this portacot can provide.
With the purchase of this cot, you’ll receive a comfortable mattress and cotton fitted sheet. The mattress and portacot have been certified for child safety, providing you with peace of mind. These details make this one of the best portacot for travel on our list.
Benefits:
- Easy set up & fold up
- Zip for easy access
- Light, compact for travel or transport – approx 5.2 kg
- Includes a carry bag for storage or transport
- Globally safety certified
Drawbacks:
- None found so far
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews on eBay.
Other Best Portable Cot Reviews
Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 8 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 101x74x78cm
If you’re on the lookout for a large travel cot with a bag for the best travel.cot, take a look at the Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy.
Assembled the cot measures 150 cm long by 80 cm wide, and has capacity for a baby under 15kg. When folded, this small portable cot is compact and perfect for use as a baby travel bed Australia, as it’s rated safe for sleeping and weighs about 8kg.
This particular porta cot Australia is comfortable for a portable cot, with a padded mattress and ventilated mesh screens. When used as a playpen, this is one of the baby portacots with a side zip for kids to leave and access the cot as they wish, which makes for fun play.
It’s also a very affordable portable baby bed Australia and great value for a light portacot.
Benefits:
- Soft & padded mattress provides added comfort and safety during sleep or play time
- Suitable for babies up to 15kg
- Foldable and includes carry bag
Drawbacks:
- Not the easiest to set up – the release buttons for the bars are stiff and sometimes it feels like you really have to force the cot to fold down
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Bebecare Zuri Timber Travel Cot Bassinet Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 8 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 116x84x70.5cm
The next best best travel cot is the Bebecare Zuri Timber Travel Cot with bassinet.
This is a good option for the best portacot for toddler which is also one of the most compact travel cot options at only 8kg. This cot is suitable for kids up to 36 months and 13 kg, and the most comfortable portacot for kids of this age.
A travel cot with bassinet is an extremely flexible travel cot best for babies from birth, with a removable bassinet complete with a removable toy bar.
It’s constructed with solid beechwood for great support and has mesh sides for great visibility and air flow to keep baby comfortable. The portacot mattress is comfortable and among the best travel cot mattress options. It’s foldable and easy to transport
Benefits:
- Light and easy to assemble – great for trips, travels, etc
- Sturdy and compact
- 90 day warranty
Drawbacks:
- Polyurethane foam mattress
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Love N Care Playland Travel Cot Review
Rating: 4.0
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 9.6 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 115x80x78cm
This little portacot from Love N Care offers a nice mix of stability and portability. It’s quick to assemble and disassemble, and it folds up for easy transport. Whether you need to bring it along on holiday or take it to a relative’s house, transporting this compact and lightweight cot is hassle free.
The materials used in the cot are breathable and comfortable, yet they maintain durability. You can easily spot clean the material using a moist cloth.
The only negative of this portacot is the mattress it comes with. It’s not high quality, and the material can be a bit noisy. It’s fine for a few nights, but it might not be the best choice for regular use. For that reason, this portacot is ideal for short-term travel.
Benefits:
- Simple to use and assemble (once you know how – read the instructions carefully)
- Provides maximum mobility, stability & convenience
- Compact, easy to fold, store, or transport – comes with a carry bag
Drawbacks:
- A bit heavy – 9.6 kg
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Narmay Baby Tent Pop Up Travel Bed Review
Rating: 4.5
Specifications:
- Type: Small, Travel
- Weight: 0.4 kg
- Wheels: No
- Dimensions: 42 x 37 x 7 cm
If your idea of the best lightweight travel cot is one that is super portable, the NARMAY Baby Tent Pop Up Travel bed may be what you’re after. This is among the smallest portacot portable travel cots on our list, and the most affordable.
There isn’t much to this baby portable cot. At just over 400 grams, it easily pops out from the included travel bag to provide a lightweight travel cot with a zippered mesh screen. It is quite roomy inside with plenty of room for a toddler.
You can use this small porta cot on the beach or a camping trip, but note there is no mattress included so refer to the relevant portacot Australian safety standard for appropriate use for sleeping.
However when it comes to cheap baby portable cots, this is probably the best light travel cot you can get for the price if you just want something to protect from sun/bugs.
Benefits:
- Very affordable
- Mesh fabric
- Super lightweight
Drawbacks:
- No mattress or real support
>> Click here to check the price and to read more reviews.
Looking for other baby products? Read about the best baby travel products and find all our best baby gear recommendations here.
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Charlotte is a proud Melbournian mum of 3 who blogs for a living in between parenting and satiating her travel addition.