Best Play Yards and Travel Cribs: Pack 'N Plays Compared
A play yard, often called a Pack 'n Play, is a folding enclosure with mesh sides that works as a travel crib, a second sleep space and a safe spot to play. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists play yards that meet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards among the safe places for a baby to sleep.
The five picks below run from $47 to $220, from a basic travel play yard to a full nursery station with a bassinet and changer.
| Best for | Pick | Price checked |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Graco Pack 'N Play on the Go Zip DLX | $99.99 |
| Best nursery station | Graco Pack 'N Play Travel Dome LX | $219.99 |
| Best travel crib | BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light | $199.99 |
| Most room | Joovy Room2 Large Portable Play Yard | $199.99 |
| Best budget | Dream on Me Nest Portable Play Yard | $47.00 |
Best Play Yards
#1 · Best overall
Graco Pack 'N Play on the Go Zip DLX
| Bassinet | Zip-in, raised |
|---|---|
| Modes | 4 (title) |
| Weight | 18.5 lb |
| Folded | 39.5 x 29 x 7 in |
| Model | 2216157 |
| Sold by | Amazon |
The Graco On the Go Zip DLX is a play yard with a raised bassinet that zips in for the newborn months, then comes out for a toddler play yard, four modes in all according to the title. The fabrics are a soft knit.
It folds compactly, to about 39.5 by 29 by 7 inches on the listing, and weighs 18.5 pounds.
It was $99.99 from Amazon, with a 4.8 rating from about 3,000 reviews.
Good for
- Raised bassinet for newborns
- Compact fold for about $100
Watch Out for
- No changer
- Heavier than the Nest
#2 · Best nursery station
Graco Pack 'N Play Travel Dome LX
| Bassinets | Portable Travel Dome and raised full-size |
|---|---|
| Changer | Removable |
| Weight | 33.1 lb |
| Model | 2105247 |
| Sold by | Amazon |
The Travel Dome LX turns a play yard into a nursery station. Its Travel Dome bassinet can sit on the play yard or come off and be used on its own, and it folds into its own carry bag.
There's also a raised full-size bassinet that puts your baby at eye level for night checks, and a removable changer with wipe-clean fabric.
It's the heaviest pick at 33.1 pounds. It was $219.99 from Amazon, with a 4.8 rating from about 6,000 reviews.
Good for
- Bassinet, dome and changer in one
- 4.8 rating
Watch Out for
- Heavy at 33.1 lb
- Priciest pick
#3 · Best travel crib
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
| Limits | 33 lb, 31.5 in (detail table) |
|---|---|
| Size | 44 x 24 x 32 in |
| Mattress | Foam, included |
| Fabric | Machine washable |
| Model | 040280US |
| Sold by | Little Folks NYC |
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is built for trips: the listing says it sets up and folds simply, and the mesh sides let you see in. Its fabrics come off and go in the washing machine.
It comes with a foam mattress. The detail table lists a 33-pound and 31.5-inch maximum, and it measures 44 by 24 by 32 inches set up.
It was $199.99, sold by Little Folks NYC and shipping in 2 to 3 days when we checked, with a 4.7 rating from about 800 reviews.
Good for
- Simple setup for travel
- Washable fabrics
Watch Out for
- About $200
- Third-party seller, ships in days
#4 · Most room
Joovy Room2 Large Portable Play Yard
| Floor | Nearly 10 sq ft |
|---|---|
| Size | 39.75 x 39.75 x 31 in |
| Limit | Up to 35 in |
| Included | Mattress, waterproof sheet |
| Weight | 27.7 lb |
| Model | 7017 |
The Joovy Room2 is a square play yard with nearly 10 square feet of floor, about 40 by 40 inches, so there's room to play. The listing rates it from birth up to 35 inches.
Large mesh windows give a view from all sides, a padded mattress and a waterproof sheet are included, and it folds into a travel bag. It weighs 27.7 pounds.
It was $199.99 from Amazon, with a 4.7 rating from about 1,700 reviews.
Good for
- Biggest floor space here
- Waterproof sheet included
Watch Out for
- No bassinet
- Bulky to travel with
#5 · Best budget
Dream on Me Nest Portable Play Yard
| Limits | 35 in, 30 lb, or climbing |
|---|---|
| Size | 40 x 28 x 27.5 in |
| Setup | No tools |
| Weight | 16.9 lb |
| Model | 436-GY |
| Sold by | Amazon |
The Dream On Me Nest is a basic play yard for $47, with about 10,600 reviews and a 4.5 rating. It has mesh sides, sets up without tools and measures 40 by 28 by 27.5 inches.
The listing says to stop using it at 35 inches, 30 pounds, or when your child starts trying to climb out. It weighs 16.9 pounds.
Its listing describes it for playtime and short, supervised naps. It was $47.00 from Amazon.
Good for
- $47
- Light and simple
Watch Out for
- No bassinet
- Listing frames it for play and short naps
Compare the 5 Picks
| Pick | Price | Bassinet | Size | Weight | Limits (listing) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graco Pack 'N Play on the Go Zip DLX | $99.99 | Raised, zip-in | 39.5 x 29 in floor | 18.5 lb | 30 lb (table) | 4.8 (3,028) |
| Graco Pack 'N Play Travel Dome LX | $219.99 | Dome and full-size | Not listed | 33.1 lb | 30 lb (table) | 4.8 (5,977) |
| BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light | $199.99 | No | 44 x 24 in | Not listed | 33 lb, 31.5 in | 4.7 (809) |
| Joovy Room2 Large Portable Play Yard | $199.99 | No | 39.75 x 39.75 in | 27.7 lb | Up to 35 in | 4.7 (1,687) |
| Dream on Me Nest Portable Play Yard | $47.00 | No | 40 x 28 in | 16.9 lb | 35 in, 30 lb | 4.5 (10,627) |
Prices and Amazon ratings (with review counts) as checked on October 17, 2026.
Play Yard Safety: The Federal Rule
Play yards have their own federal standard, 16 CFR 1221. The CPSC defines a play yard as a framed enclosure with a floor and mesh or fabric sides, for a child who can't climb out and is shorter than 35 inches. The rule tests side height and strength, floor strength, the mattress, the top rails, the mesh and stability. Play yards made or imported on or after April 5, 2025 must meet the newest version.
The CPSC also says a play yard with a bassinet attachment must meet both the play yard and the bassinet standards.
Use only the mattress it came with, or an aftermarket play yard mattress that names your model. The CPSC's crib mattress rule requires aftermarket play yard mattresses to meet compatibility requirements and list the models they fit. Then follow the AAP's safe sleep basics: baby on their back, fitted sheet only, nothing else inside.
How to Choose a Play Yard
Bassinet or Not
A raised bassinet, like on the Graco Zip DLX and Travel Dome LX, saves bending to the floor in the newborn months. Use it only until the weight or developmental limit in the manual.
Travel or Home
For trips, a light, simple crib like the BabyBjorn or the Nest is easier to carry. For a second nursery at home or a grandparent's house, the Travel Dome LX adds a changer and the Room2 adds floor space.
When to Stop Using It
The CPSC rule is for children shorter than 35 inches who can't climb out, and the listings here give limits of 30 to 33 pounds or 31.5 to 35 inches. Move to a crib when your child reaches any of them.
Play Yard Questions
Is a Play Yard Safe for Overnight Sleep?
The AAP lists play yards that meet CPSC standards as safe sleep spaces. Use the mattress made for it and a fitted sheet, and add nothing else.
Can I Add a Thicker Mattress?
Only an aftermarket mattress that lists your play yard model as compatible, as the CPSC rule requires. Don't stack pads or add toppers; the AAP lists mattress toppers among the soft items to keep out of the sleep space.
The Bottom Line
The Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go Zip DLX is the best all-round play yard, with a raised bassinet for about $100. Choose the Travel Dome LX for a full nursery station, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light for frequent trips, the Joovy Room2 for floor space, or the Dream On Me Nest for $47. Whichever you buy, keep it bare. See also our bassinets guide and cribs guide.