The Best Pack 'n Plays and Play Yards of 2024

There was a lot to love about the Century Play On 2-in-1 play yard. Literally. Though it wasn’t particularly heavy, it was the largest play yard we tested. It includes a multitude of fun features, like a Playscape wall with removable Velcro toys, a zipper door, and plenty of room for rolling, crawling, and playing. Fabrics are made from recyclable materials. Due to its size, however, it is nearly impossible to comfortably use this model in smaller homes or apartments, and has the potential to be more cumbersome during air travel.

The setup and breakdown are easy, the mattress is conveniently foldable yet still comfortable enough for sleeping, and the entire model feels secure and durable. This would be an optimal choice for a large space or outdoors, and for mobile babies who would appreciate the extra square footage.

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light acquired its points by being lightweight (only 13 pounds), extremely easy to unfold and assemble, and one of the easiest options to repack in its carrying case. It is one of the best designs for not only moving around the house, but also for getting in and out of the trunk of a car. It has a simple, sleek design, and like the Chicco Alfa Lite, it has a small footprint, making it an optimal choice for both air travel and hotel stays. Ultimately, its ranking is due to its being intuitive and hassle free.

However, this easy-to-use crib lost points for price, because it feels a bit steep for a no-frills option without a bassinet or changing table component, front zip closure, or playtime add-ons. Though, the materials do meet the requirements for Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class 1, which means they are “kind to sensitive skin” and “safe to taste.” If these classifications are important to you, this could be an option for your growing family.

If the Sena Aire and the Alfa Lite had a baby, it would be the Guava Lotus. It has a sleek, yet sturdy design, with an easy-to-clip-in mattress and zipper door. At 13 pounds, it is lightweight enough to move around the house, and relatively easy to pack back into its carrying case, which has a backpack feature.

The mattress, which lies flush against the ground, was not particularly comfortable; this may be less of an issue if the play yard is set up on carpet. The initial set up and breakdown is not as intuitive as one would hope, but a quick glance at the instruction manual will explain its simple pop-out function. It is also one of the pricier options, and does not come with additional features, but we still think it's a stylish, high-quality choice for napping (or playing) on the go.

Graco’s play yard is an aesthetically pleasing option, with some extras, such as a toy bar, that other simpler models don’t offer. It has a sleek look, exposed poles on the side, and generally looks more updated than some others. The upper net that creates the bassinet level for smaller babies is easier to attach than other brands, as is the pay bar.

However, there are a few drawbacks, including a much squishier mattress that feels a little concerning when it comes to it bunching up more compared to other more breathable options. In addition, the toys on the toy bar are velcro and fall off a bit more easily than others that are secured. But, overall, this is a solid option especially if you are looking to use it for a long time.

Typically, play yards need to have the ability to move room to room without having to break them down, or at least be moved around easily within a room. So, this option offers two wheels to help increase its mobility which is helpful. It also offers the upper net area for a bassinet option, but no changing station.

There are a few issues with this play yard, including that the fabric and design feel a bit cheaper than others, including the mobile, the fabric, and some of the construction of the frame and packing system. For example, if it doesn’t pop up or down perfectly (meaning each side at the same time and right angle), it needs some jostling and a do-over. The process for attaching the net was harder than others with a hook system. In addition, there is a saggy extra pouch for diapers that wasn’t the most convenient.

New parents are often toting a diaper bag, a baby, and numerous other items and don’t have the bandwidth for extra fuss or weight. That’s where the Maxi Cosi comes in—it’s very light and collapses with one hand, a big advantage over other options. The mattress is a thicker pad, but not quite as nice as our top pick. This is also an exceptionally secure option, meant to not move around at all. There’s a large padded area around the top of the pack ‘n play that is safer for larger kids who might be able to reach that height.

The only issue is the bag is quite tight, and a bit tough to get off easily, making set up take a little longer.

Of all the play yards we tested with additional features such as a bassinet, changer, and storage caddy, the Delta LX Deluxe was by far the most lightweight, the least cumbersome, and the easiest to unfold and assemble. A clip-on mobile is a sweet addition for infants. It has lock-enabled wheels for safety, and moves easily around the house. Plus, it comes in under $100, making it one of the more cost effective options.

Due to the multiple parts, it can be somewhat of a challenge to effectively repack the play yard into the carrying case. The additional parts also add weight, making it less portable when traveling. But if you’re not traveling often, or going mostly by car, this could be a great option for taking your kids from infant to toddler years.

Cosco is one of the most simplistic value picks on the list, but a reliable option for someone who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles. However, the quality has a few drawbacks. The bag that contains the folded play yard itself has a cheap feel, and we question whether it will last for years to come. Parts were more difficult to assemble than other play yards we put together (and we put together many play yards for this guide).

But, the Cosco does have two wheels for easy relocation around the house without having to break it down to get it from point A to point B. It would be ideal as a backup at a grandparents house or for someone who won’t be using it quite as frequently.

The highlight of the 4Moms Breeze Plus is its “one push open, one pull close” functionality. It’s simple and intuitive, and possible to open and close the frame with one hand. If you don’t intend to use the included add-ons, then one hand is nearly all one would need. However, the diaper caddy, changing table, and infant insert (which uses the 2-in-1 mattress with zip-off panels) require a bit more time and effort to assemble, making this one of the more cumbersome set ups.

This is a less portable option because it’s heavy, slightly clunky to move around the house, and somewhat difficult to properly repack each piece inside the carrying case. But if you love a convertible design with lots of options, then the Breeze Plus could be a good pick.

It might seem like the bag that carries a pack ‘n play is no big deal, but they aren’t all created equally. Some, like this one, have a slit with a protruding handle and they have varying numbers of straps containing the folded pack ‘n play. For example, this one doesn’t have a middle strap, making storage and transport a bit more precarious than others. This matters, because packing up play yards wrong can mean them falling out of the bags which is a nuisance that no parent needs.

Set up was also a big more difficult with this product, as you have to pull the sides up perfectly and all at once, or you have to start over. At one point during testing, the sides weren’t staying up, so it took longer than normal to get it ready for use. However, this play yard does have a changing pad and the diaper caddy has more storage than other so it has that going for it.

The Chicco Lullaby Primo Organic pack and play is most like a traditional pack and play, but on steroids. It unfolds and collapses like most standard models (by locking the sides before flattening the bottom all the way); has a snap-on changer, diaper caddy, and portable mobile; and is made from soft, organic materials––including the mattress, change covers, and top rail fabric. It is Greenguard Gold-certified, which means it’s been tested for low chemical emissions, and wheels on one side make it easy to maneuver.

The reason for its ranking is because it is one of the heaviest, and its multiple parts not only make it more difficult to efficiently repack in its carrying case, they also make it heavier and more cumbersome when moving from place to place. At $299.99, it’s not the most affordable option, but if you’re interested in an organic option with all the bells and whistles, this would make a great choice.