At a Glance: Travel Cot Comparison
| Model | Weight | Best For | Setup Time |
| BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light | 6 kg | Flying solo, overhead luggage | 15 seconds |
| Joie Kubbie Allura | 9.6 kg | Toddlers, mixed travel | 2-3 minutes |
| Hauck Sleep N Play | 8.5 kg | Occasional car trips, space | 3-4 minutes |
| Graco Pack ‘n Play | 8.4 kg | Frequent use, durability | 3-4 minutes |
Which should you choose?
Flying with a baby? → BabyBjörn (lightest, fastest setup)
Regular car trips to same place? → Hauck or Graco (more space)
Flying with a toddler? → Joie (portable + room to move)
Using every few weeks? → Graco (most durable)
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The 4 Best Travel Cots for UK Families
As a busy mum of two, getting your little one to sleep somewhere unfamiliar is a real challenge. A good travel cot transforms a potential nightmare into something actually manageable. Whether you’re flying to see family, spending half term in a holiday cottage, or squeezing into a friend’s spare room, the right travel cot makes all the difference.
The question isn’t whether you need one—it’s which one you need. And that depends entirely on how you travel.
How to choose a travel cot
Travel cots come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one depends on your lifestyle. Are you flying regularly? Driving on weekends? Visiting grandparents every holiday?
Which travel cot is right for you?
How do you travel?
✈️ Flying solo – Overhead luggage, fast setup
🚗 Car travel – Weekend trips, holiday homes
→ Flying with a baby? Best choice: BabyBjörn | Toddler? Joie
→ Car travel — how often? Occasional: Hauck | Regular: Graco
1. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light — Best for flying
The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is genuinely lightweight at just 6kg and pops up in about 15 seconds. No assembly, no faffing about. It’s narrow (fits standard sheets) and great for flights because it meets overhead luggage restrictions if packed. The downside: it’s smaller than other options, so toddlers can feel cramped.
2. Joie Kubbie Allura — Best all-rounder
The Joie sits in the middle ground. It’s portable at 9.6kg without feeling tiny. Toddlers have more room, and it’s padded enough for comfort. The fold-down design means it takes 2-3 minutes to set up, but once you’ve done it once, it becomes second nature.
3. Hauck Sleep N Play — Best for occasional trips
The Hauck is more spacious and feels sturdy. It’s heavier (8.5kg) and takes 3-4 minutes to set up, so it’s not ideal for flights. But if you’re doing regular car trips to the same destination (holiday cottage, grandparents’ house), the extra space and solidity make it worth it. Kids genuinely sleep better in it.
4. Graco Pack ‘n Play — Best for frequent use
The Graco is the most portable of the heavier-duty options at 8.4kg. It’s spacious and durable. If you’re using a travel cot regularly—every few weeks—it’s worth considering for the extra space and stability.
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