Before our bundle of joy was born, there were so many things we had to get ready before we brought them home. One of the first and most important things we bought was a crib or a cot bed so that our babies had a comfy and safe sleeping spot for all times of the day and night. While most traditional cribs are barred ones, we decided to go for a crib without bars, since we live in a particularly humid city. Mesh cribs are not only extremely safe but also were breathable and ensured airflow, thus also reducing overheating. If that wasn’t enough, we especially loved the flexible and soft design with no bars or hard slats. Hence, we didn’t have to worry about their little limbs getting bumps or stuck during stretches and wiggles.
Cribs are a significant investment, especially since infants sleep in them only until they’re two-and-a-half or three years. That’s why we dove deep into the world of cribs and our own experiences so you can invest in something that’ll last you for a long time. Here’s a useful guide to mesh cribs, as well as some fantastic choices.
Table of contents
- Newton Travel Crib And Play Yard
- UPPAbaby Remi Playard
- Chicco Alfa Lite
- Guava Lotus Travel Crib
- Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib
- Graco Pack ‘n Play On-The-Go Playard
- Chicco Dash Instant Setup Play Yard
- BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
- SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet
- LovliTod Baby 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet
- SnuzPod 4 Rocking Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
- Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Sleeper Bassinet
- Chicco Next2Me Pop Up Crib
- Our Verdict!
- How To Choose The Best Cribs Without Bars?
- When Should We Lower the Mattress Level Of The Crib?
- Where Can I Put A Baby Crib?
- Frequently Asked Question 3
Newton Travel Crib And Play Yard
13
We begin with the Newton Travel Crib And Play Yard, which had an extremely spacious sleeping area. We loved the soft and thick mattress, whose top frame is more padded than most other cribs on this list. Plus, all that fabric is removable and washable, so what more could we ask for? Furthermore, we also liked the in-built fasteners that kept the roll tight. Rounding things up were the 100-day sleep trial and the 2-year warranty, along with the fact that the model also has a Greenguard Gold certification.
Pros
- This crib offered more space for play.
- We loved the additional padding for comfort.
- The crib was Greenguard-Gold certified.
Cons
- It’s a little challenging to break down.
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UPPAbaby Remi Playard
12
The UPPAbaby Remi Playard was perfect for us as we usually don’t love putting newborns all the way down on floor-supported cribs. It was also easier on ours and the caregivers’ backs, making for a great place for diaper changes. This versatile, Greenguard Gold-certified crib boasted its own organic mattress cover. What’s more, the bassinet had a 20-lb. limit, allowing our babies to graduate from the bassinet to the main crib using just the side zipper. Finally, the big side opening allowed us to tuck the tots in from the side and even read to them before zipping them in.
Pros
- This crib came with an infant bassinet.
- It came with tons of add-ons, including a changing station and a canopy.
- The design kept the baby off the floor.
Cons
- It’s not lightweight.
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Chicco Alfa Lite
11
Another great mesh crib is the Chicco Alfa Lite, which weighed just 12.5 lbs., making it the lightest crib on this list. Costing us less than USD 200, this sturdy travel crib had an extremely straightforward setup, taking just a few seconds longer than the fastest crib setup on this list. What’s more, it had a side zipper, which offered us another way to get to our child, especially if we were lying down next to them. The best bit? The zipper could be clipped shut. Moreover, the floor slots were nicely sized, allowing us to fish the strap connecting the frame and the mattress from the outside.
Check out the official product page for more details.
Pros
- The crib was very lightweight.
- It was very easy to setup.
- We loved the side zipper access.
Cons
- The case had gaps.
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Guava Lotus Travel Crib
10
Imagine slinging a travel crib on your back when traveling with it; that’s the Guava Lotus Travel Crib for you. In fact, its standout feature is the travel case, which carries the 15 lbs. crib within it, complete with short carry straps that can also be worn as a backpack for handsfree travel. We loved the lightweight frame which was among the fastest to set up on this list. Besides the mesh panels, we especially loved the side zipper, allowing us to be able to get to our babies from the top as well as the side, especially if we were sitting down on the ground right next to the crib, The best bit? The zipper could be clipped in place when closed, which meant that squirmy tots wouldn’t find their way out of the crib.
Pros
- This crib was very lightweight as well as easy to set up and break down.
- The backpack case was extremely comfortable to carry.
- We could fit this crib in the overhead bins of many flights.
Cons
- It didn’t come with an infant insert/bassinet.
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Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib
9
For those who are constantly on the road, the Bugaboo Stardust Travel Crib is perfect. It didn’t take up valuable real estate in our car, and yet it weighed just 18 lbs., making it one of the most versatile cribs on this list. It struck a great balance between weight and sturdiness and fit very well into our car. When opened, it’s a wide, flat rectangle and when folded up, it was a boxy rectangle, allowing it to be tucked away easily. Setup was lightning fast, thanks to the in-built mattress and the all-in-one design. The best bit? It was very easy to place the kiddo and take them out of the crib. Rounding things up were the mesh panels, which allowed for breathability and continuous visibility.
Pros
- We could adjust the height of the bassinet.
- The design was lightweight with a slim profile.
- It folded down into a space-saving shape when folded.
Cons
- It’s on the expensive side.
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Graco Pack ‘n Play On-The-Go Playard
8
Another fantastic on-the-go play crib is the Graco Pack ‘n Play On-The-Go Playard, ringing up at just USD 70. Even though its price is much less than that of its peers, it doesn’t skimp on quality, besides being easy to use and portable. We found it very simple to fold down, store, transport, and set it up again too. What we loved was that we could transport the crib from room to room very easily, thanks to the wheels. Plus, it was sturdy and spacious, making it great for naps and keeping the kiddos entertained. Secure, durable, priced well, and portable — this crib has everything going for it.
Pros
- This crib could be wheeled from room to room.
- It came with a full-sized bassinet.
- It cost us just USD 70.
Cons
- It’s a tad larger than some of the other travel cribs.
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Chicco Dash Instant Setup Play Yard
7
Do your kiddos love to play on the go? Check out the Chicco Dash Instant Setup Play Yard, which was designed with convenience in mind. We loved the crib’s single-hand open-and-close feature, making it effective and easy to use. In fact, this is the fastest we’ve been able to pack away travel cribs. Thanks to the padded, Greenguard Gold-certified mattress, it was very cushioned and comfy for our 2-month-old, settling quickly and sleeping soundly. What’s more, it even had a full-size bassinet for babies weighing up to 15 lbs., which we could easily unzip and remove. Furthermore, an optional zip-on play panel would transform it into a cute safari with crinkle animal toys for the babies to entertain themselves!
Pros
- This travel crib was very easy to set up and fold.
- We loved the full-size bassinet.
- The add-on activity panel was excellent as our kiddos got older.
Cons
- The crib was slightly heavy.
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BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
6
Best travel mesh crib. Traveling with a baby can be exhausting, especially since we have diaper bags, strollers, and car seats in tow. That’s why we chose the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light, which weighed just 13 lbs., and yet was one of the sturdiest cribs we saw. We loved that we could carry it both ways, while it was set up and, in the bag, and that too on our own. Setup was a breeze too, besides the effectiveness of the design, features, and the portability. Folding down was easy with a single hand, making it easy for even single parents to transport it easily for heading over to the grandparents or for playdates.
“We’ve always wondered whether we’d get a lightweight crib, and with the BabyBjörn, we actually did get one. Traveling with the baby has never been easier!”
Keedoz
Pros
- It comes with a carry bag for easy carrying.
- The crib was easy to unfold and setup.
- It was extremely lightweight.
- It came in two color options.
Cons
- It didn’t come with a bassinet.
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SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet
5
We had really fussy little sleepers, and since we valued our sleeping hours, we bought the SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Bassinet. Trust us when we say that this has been a gamechanger, as it responded to our infant’s cries by quietly and gently rocking them to sleep — and that too, along with soothing white noises mimicking how they felt when they were inside your womb. Not only was it simple to assemble and plug in, but it also came with everything we we needed to get started — including SNOO sheets, mattress, and sacks. If that wasn’t enough, the swaddle sacks ensured that the baby was on their back all the time.
Pros
- It helped our babies get into a good sleep routine.
- The entire kit is quite clever, with a phone app, access to sleep consultants, and even a weaning feature.
Cons
- The bassinet doesn’t have the drop-down side.
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LovliTod Baby 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet
4
Best value-for-money. Available in three colors, the LovliTod Baby 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet cost less than USD 200. Thus, it offered excellent value without compromising on any of the features. This portable and lightweight crib was designed with convenience in mind, given its one-step fold mechanism that allowed for quick storage and setup. What’s more, it even converted into a travel-size infant bed due to the removable leg, making it great for a family road trip. Our babies loved the spacious sleeping area, while we loved the mesh sides as it allowed us to see our babies and vice versa. While the height can’t be adjusted, we loved the large storage basket which was very helpful for keeping baby essentials like baby swaddles and newborn diapers.
Pros
- The mattress was very padded and comfortable.
- It was very affordable.
- We had three color options.
Cons
- Adding a waterproof mattress protector would be a good idea.
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SnuzPod 4 Rocking Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
3
Best rocking mesh crib. The SnuzPod 4 Rocking Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper was definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing cribs we’ve seen in a while. This brilliantly versatile bedside crib comes with a removable bassinet base, allowing us to move our babies around the house during naptime. What’s more, this slim crib ensured that even parents with less space next to the bed can use it. We loved the clever ComfortAir breathable system ensured optimal temperature for the babies during nap and bed times, thanks to the combination of base ventilation, a breathable mesh liner, and air-flow vents. The best bit? The two mesh sides which also allowed us to see the baby and the baby to see outside.
Pros
- The removable reflux leg allowed creating a gentle incline when babies had reflux.
- We, and the kiddos, loved the rocking feature.
- The mesh sides are breathable.
Cons
- We required tools to convert it from bassinet to bedside crib and adjust the height.
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Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Sleeper Bassinet
2
Coming in third for the title of the “Best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket” at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, the Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Sleeper Bassinet is extremely popular with parents. This dual-purpose bassinet can be used as both, a standalone crib and a co-sleeping one, providing versatility for bed and nap times. Plus, we could transition the babies from the co-sleeper to the standalone crib when the time was right. Our kiddos loved the easy-to-use and rather handy rocking mechanism too, as did we. The standout was the all-round mesh which improved breathability and airflow both. Finally, the co-sleeping slide function and the five different height positions with options to adjust round up the excellent features of this product
Pros
- We could adjust the crib to make it higher on one side, alleviating reflux.
- The depth and size of the crib was excellent.
- We loved the 100% recycled and eco-friendly fabric.
Cons
- Some parents thought that the mattress could be softer.
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Chicco Next2Me Pop Up Crib
1
Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up Crib, which was shortlisted at 2024’s Mother&Baby Awards for the “Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.” And, it’s easy to see why! The brand’s Next2Me range is famed for its design, usability, and quality, and this exceptionally versatile crib is no different. It can be used as a travel cot, a standalone cot, and a co-sleeping one, as we could attach it to the bed using the included straps. What’s more, the six different height levels allowed us to adjust to suit the height of our bed. In fact, we could even tilt the bed if our kiddos would suffer from reflux or colic. Rounding things up were the two front wheels for easy portability and foldable feet, so we could even attach the cot to beds that had storage compartments.
Pros
- The cot opened up and folded flat in a matter of seconds.
- It could be folded without removing any parts, making it portable.
- The crib felt well-made and built to last.
Cons
- None!
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the products on this list, here’s a specialized list to help you choose.
- Best value for money: LovliTod Baby 3-in-1 Baby Bassinet
- Best rocking mesh crib: SnuzPod 4 Rocking Baby Bassinet Bedside Sleeper
- Best travel mesh crib: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
- Best overall: Chicco Next2Me Pop Up Crib
How To Choose The Best Crib Without Bars?
Types Of Cribs
- Traditional cribs: These can be used for newborns through infancy and toddlerhood. After the kid outgrows any height or weight restrictions, they can be moved to a bed.
- Convertible cribs: These can be converted from baby cribs to toddler beds, and maybe even full-sized beds for older kids. Their popularity comes from their cost-effectiveness.
- Mini cribs: These are just like traditional cribs, but smaller and more helpful for shared rooms or smaller spaces.
- Travel cribs: These lightweight options fold into small, portable versions and have different height and weight limits.
Easy Setup
One of the first things we wanted our babies’ cribs to have was an easy setup process. Taking the crib out of the box and assembling it shouldn’t be a Herculean task, especially considering the fact that there are single parents too. So, we wanted to know whether a single person could set it up, whether the instructions were easy to understand and follow, and how long it took them for the setup.
Easy To Use
Another thing that we needed our babies’ cribs to be was easy to use and adjust. That’s why we tested all the configurations when we were checking out mesh cribs. This included everything from converting the crib to other options to changing the mattress heights.
Durability
Last but not the least, the cribs need to be durable. Check reviews to see what parents have to say after using the crib for a while, such as a month, or six months, even a year.
When Should We Lower the Mattress Level Of The Crib?
When babies learn to sit up, that is when they’re around six months old, the mattress should be lowered to the lowest level. Do ensure that if your baby can stand and lift their legs up over the mesh, then up the height again.
Where Can I Put A Baby Crib?
You can place the crib anywhere but at least two feet away from wall lamps, drapery, window-bling cords, windows, and heating vents, and at least a foot from furniture and walls.
