Bugaboo Stardust travel cot review: does it really unfold in one second?
Designed with aerospace folding technology, Bugaboo’s Stardust travel cot is out of this world. But is it really as easy as it says? Mum of two and Mumsnet editor Rebecca finds out.
By Rebecca Roberts | Last updated May 13, 2024
Price on writing: £225 | Buy now from Amazon
Very easy to open and collapse in one swift move
Collapses flat and requires no assembly besides adding the feet
Sturdy feet to avoid it toppling over
Love the added newborn insert for smaller babies
The mattress is thicker than others I’ve tried
Use as a travel cot or playpen
The feet need a bit of an oomph to slot in the first time
It collapses flat, but is still larger in width than other travel cots I’ve owned and tested
One of the dearest travel cots I’ve seen
Dimensions when folded: 65 x 14 x 85 cm | Dimensions when assembled: 64 x 98 x 85 cm | Colours available: Black, grey melange, taupe | Weight of cot: 7.58kg | Age range: 0 months to 2 years | Weight limit: 15 kg (in the cot), 9kg in the newborn insert
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Our verdict
I won’t lie - I’m a huge fan of Bugaboo. So much so that I’d actually consider having a third baby just so I could own everything that Bugaboo has to offer. Ever since testing the Bugaboo Fox 5 pram, I find that the brand’s products are always well designed, streamlined, user-friendly and robust against growing babies and toddlers, without compromising on style and aesthetics.
With two young boys myself, I know how challenging it is to find a safe, comfortable space for your LO to sleep when travelling. And let’s be honest, whether in the UK or abroad, sometimes the cribs provided in your room aren't always the greatest. So, having a travel cot you’re familiar with does help tremendously.
From experience, the ideal travel cot should collapse easily, take up little room in your car or airport allowance and should still be sturdy and comfortable enough for babies up to two years old.
How we tested the Bugaboo Stardust
I used the Bugaboo Stardust travel cot for over a month at home and while travelling to visit family. During the testing timeframe, the cot was used both with my own son (aged two) and with a premature six-week-old newborn baby.
Bugaboo Stardust travel cot: first impressions
My first impression was how easy it was to unpack. In the box came only the travel cot itself, already in its travel bag, the newborn insert and a small packet with the cot’s feet in it.
The feet were the only things I needed to slot in before using the Bugaboo Stardust for the first time. Whereas, the newborn insert isn’t necessary for setup.
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How easy is the Bugaboo Stardust to put up for the first time?
Like other Bugaboo products I’ve tested, their all-in-one travel cot is unsurprisingly, very easy to use. Which it should be, really, given that it promises a one second unfold and three second fold.
Using aerospace folding technology - which, according to Google means it ‘mimics paper folding principles’ - the Bugaboo Stardust sets up and folds down easily together with the mattress attached.
Unlike other travel cots I’ve used, this one is the only one I’ve personally come across where the built-in mattress folds along with the entire cot.
How big is the Bugaboo Stardust travel cot?
When folded, the Bugaboo Stardust measures 65 x 14 x 85 cm. When in use, the Bugaboo Stardust travel cot measures 64 x 98 x 85 cm and is similar in size to other travel cots I’ve used.
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How heavy is the Bugaboo Stardust?
Weighing 7.58kg, the Bugaboo Stardust is lighter than other travel cots like the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot and the Joie kubbie™ Sleep Travel Cot. Although, it is heavier than lighter travel cots like Graco FoldLite LX Travel Cot and the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light.
Buy now from AmazonPersonally, I found it light to carry and not at all bulky despite the fact it folds flat and not inwards unlike others I’ve owned and used in the past. I was pleased to discover while unpacking the travel cot that it came already in the bag. It’s a tad fiddly to get the cot back into its travel bag after use, but not unmanageable.
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How comfortable is the Bugaboo Stardust travel cot?
I mean, I can’t personally say how comfortable it is as I most definitely exceed the weight allowance (15kg) of the cot itself. But, judging by my youngest’s speed at lying down in it with his teddies and blankets, I’ll say it’s very comfortable.
Buy now from AmazonThis is the only travel cot I’ve personally used that comes with its own newborn insert, which helps to raise the mattress higher in the cot itself so you’re not back-breakingly bending down to reach your baby. The newborn insert easily zips in, uses the same mattress, and it’s easy enough to remove from its original position at the bottom of the cot.
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The mattress itself is lightweight, multi-layered and in true Bugaboo style, made of high-quality materials so your baby can nap and play in comfort. The mesh panels help air to circulate, so you can rest assured knowing your LO can breathe and isn’t overheating while in there.
How sturdy is the Bugaboo Stardust?
Thanks to its wide-set feet, I’d say quite sturdy. Although, that’s not to say a Houdini-like toddler wouldn’t be able to knock it over if they wanted. So, like with most - if not all - travel cots, prop it up between furniture if you’re using it with a more, er, active toddler. For babies, though, it’s incredibly sturdy.
Does the Stardust travel cot work as a playpen?
Yes. In fact, the Bugaboo Stardust has been designed to also be used as a playpen for babies who can sit up and beyond. My toddler, despite being slightly under the weight limit, happily played in there while I had my food shopping delivered.
The travel cot’s fold flat design meant I could slot it next to furniture in my living room when not in use.
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How transportable is the Bugaboo Stardust?
The travel bag has a carry handle attached making transporting it relatively easy. Unlike other travel cots I’ve used previously that fold inwards, the Bugaboo Stardust folds flat. So, it might appear slightly bulkier to carry compared to others.
This, however, is unavoidable given the cot’s design and I’ll happily ignore this for the fact that it comes with a one second unfold and requires little to no assembly when using it.
Does the Bugaboo Stardust represent good value for money?
At £225, the Bugaboo Stardust is one of the more expensive travel cots I’ve come across and you’d be forgiven for wanting to avoid spending that much on one. Particularly if you only plan to use it once or twice while travelling abroad.
However, with that said, what the Stardust offers that others don’t is longevity. Like most, if not all, Bugaboo products, the travel cot’s quality means it will stand the test of time and can be used both as a travel cot and playpen for years to come. Plus, it comes with a four year warranty should anything go wrong in those first few years of owning it.
The Bugaboo Stardust travel cot: overall verdict
The Bugaboo Stardust is far from your typical navy, white meshed travel cot you often see in hotels when travelling. Available in neutral colours (I tried the taupe), Bugaboo’s lightweight travel cot is as stylish as it is practical.
I particularly love the fact it unfolds incredibly easy - there’s nothing worse than fumbling to get a travel cot up when you’ve arrived at your destination and your DC is due a nap. Cue tears, cue sweat, cue trapped fingers. I speak from experience.
I love the fact that it comes with a newborn insert that just zips in, which my back would have appreciated having when my own two were little and brand new.
My least favourite feature would be the size of it when folded. It folds flat, which is great when using it at home, but if you were to travel with this on an airplane, train or even in the car, it is quite large.
Although its USP of a one second unfold overrides this and I’d much prefer the convenience of the technology than this small bugbear.
About the author
Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. Having birthed two DC just 15 months apart, she knows all too well how stressful it can be trying to find the right baby products to suit your family's needs. So, she's fully invested in finding the best prams, travel cots, car seats and more for new and growing families.
Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.
About Mumsnet reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.