Best Pack'n Play 2021 Reviews – A Buying Guide on Playards for Babies

a cute little baby smiling on a cameraIf you are expecting a baby, you surely want to obtain all that is necessary for their healthy development and comfort in advance. A playing yard or a so-called pack and play will be among the most essential items of your buying list. It’s an advanced variant of a playpen that provides babies with a safe and cozy space for their proper development, first steps in exploring the surrounding world, games and rest.

Today the market offers many differently featured play yards, so getting a perfect pack and play may turn into a real quest. However, after taking a look at the best products available and considering the main qualities you should pay your attention to, you will easily cope with this task.

Table of Contents

  1. Reviews of the Top 7 Pack and Play Playard Models Available Nowadays
  2. What is a Pack and Play and How to Use It
  3. Choosing the Right Type of Pack and Play
  4. Important Features to Consider
  5. Main Benefits of Pack and Play
  6. Safety Guidelines
  7. To Sum It Up

Reviews of the Top 7 Pack and Play Playard Models Available Nowadays

Some existing models tend to be more popular today. The main reason is that they combine many useful qualities in a single model and, thus, a lot of problems can be solved by buying just one item.

Graco Pack ‘n Play On the Go Playard

The Pack n Play On the Go by Graco is perfect for traveling as it’s compact, durable, lightweight, and folds easily.

If you need a playard for traveling, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better than Graco On the Go. This playpen is designed specifically to be easy to transport. Also, it’s very easy to fold as it features Graco’s signature technology. You can set up and take down the pack and play in moments. Wheels and feet are foldable to make the item more compact. The travel bag fits the product perfectly.

The playpen has fully-mesh walls to ensure good air circulation. They are see-through, so you can see your baby at all times. The playpen is safe to use for babies up to 35’’ who are unable to climb out of it. In addition, there is a full-size infant bassinet fit for a baby under 15lbs. However, you should only use it for infants unable to roll over or lift themselves up. The product also includes a toy bar with three soft toys to entertain the baby.

Users absolutely love this playpen model. The Schiele Family says that colors are even cute in real life and that the playard is easy to move around without collapsing it. Many other reviewers, including KirFri123, commend how multi-purpose this product is. A few parents complain that the mattress is thin and hard. However, it’s standard for this type of products. You can always get a soft topper or an additional baby mattress.

Pros:
Compact
Very easy to set up/collapse
Easy to move around
Cons:
Doesn’t include a changing table
Thin hard mattress

4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard

The 4moms Breeze Plus is an all-in-one nursery station you can take and set up anywhere with a single movement.

If you want to have a pack n play that takes literally a single movement to set up or fold, the Breeze Plus is for you. The process is so simple, you can do it one-handed after some practice. This playpen is minimalistic and stylish in design with mesh walls for maximum visibility and breathability. It’s safe to use for toddlers up to 30lbs.

The Breeze Plus by 4moms features a removable infant bassinet and changer. Note that they are installed as a single unit. Therefore, the bassinet isn’t full-size. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the bassinet is safe to use for babies up to 18lbs. However, you should stop using it as soon as your baby learns how to turn over or push up. The changer, bassinet, and playpen mattress can be cleaned by wiping it with a wet cloth. There is a travel bag included in the package.

The vast majority of reviewers love this pack and play because it’s so easy to set up. One of the users says this playard is perfect for her as it’s fully equipped with everything necessary. That’s an important advantage for people living in small places who plan to use the playpen as a crib. Note that there are a few complaints about how unattractive 4moms branded sheets are. You can solve the problem by buying sheets from other brands. But watch the sizes as this mattress isn’t industry standard.

Pros:
Single-move set up
Includes an infant bassinet and changer
Wipe-to-clean fabric
Cons:
Heavier than average
Non-standard mattress size

Kidstry Portable Playard

This pack n play offers you all the best things that top brand models do but for a lower price.

The playpen is very sturdy and offers good value for money. It features a full-size infant bassinet and a changing station. The changer will fit your baby for a while. The design is cute and the playard has a rather comfy mattress, which is rare for these products.

The playpen has fully-mesh walls to ensure good air circulation. They are see-through, so you can see your baby at all times. The playpen is safe to use for babies up to 35’’ who are unable to climb out of it. In addition, there is a full-size infant bassinet fit for a baby under 15lbs. However, you should only use it for infants unable to roll over or lift themselves up. The product also includes a toy bar with three soft toys to entertain the baby.

There is a mobile with three cute soft toys to keep the baby entertained. The whole pack and play is easy to clean as well as set up and tape down. It’s portable and comes with a travel bag. The playpen itself has two wheels with brakes. So it’s easy to move around the house or room. The mechanism can be locked with one hand.

A great number of users praise this pack and play model because it’s cheap but sturdy. Erin Marie Spitzer, for example, says her baby is very “sturdy” himself and the playard is still a perfect fit. Brianna Lehman adds that she owns this model and a top-brand one, and this one is just as good as the other. Some people complain about the locking mechanism. But you just need to practice a bit to understand it. WANGTONGCHEN, another reviewer, explains that you should pull up a soft handle on the bottom tarp, like handling an umbrella. Then, lock sides pulling rails one by one.

Pros:
Great value for money
Includes a changing station
Full-size infant bassinet
Mobile with toys
Cons:
The mechanism takes some getting used to
Might smell out of the box (leave outdoors to air out)

Delta Children LX Deluxe Portable Baby Playard

This is a lovely 3-in-1 pack and play model to meet all your baby’s needs on the go and at home.

The LX Deluxe by Delta Children is a playpen that includes an infant bassinet and changing table. The bassinet is full-sized and can fit a baby up to 15lbs. if they are unable to push up and roll over. The changer is waterproof, easy to clean, and fits a baby up to 25lbs. The playard is safe for a toddler up to 35’’-high if they cannot climb out.

There is a small snap-on hanging storage at the side for diapers and essentials. The playpen is portable and has two wheels and a travel bag. It also features a removable mobile with three soft toys to help the baby’s development. The pack n play is reasonably easy to set up. But you’ll need some practice to learn how to do it just right.

According to the majority of reviews, users are very satisfied with the model and the value it offers. Many agree with Stephanie, who says the playard is easy to put together and use. She even considers getting another one for her mother-in-law’s house. Another user, Cirie, adds that this playpen model has the sturdiest and most stable changing table she has seen. The few complaints that one can find mostly focus on the bad customer service. But the playard is so good that you aren’t likely to need contacting that service.

Pros:
Good value for money
Large capacity changing table
Full-size infant bassinet
Mobile with 3 toys
Snap-on storage
Cons:
Poor customer service
The mechanism needs practice to master

Fisher-Price On the Go Baby Dome

The Fisher-Price Dome for infants is a perfect play and nap place for your little one to use both indoors and outdoors.

The Dome is extremely easy to set up and fold back to a compact flat piece you can fit anywhere. It’s large enough to let your infant sleep and play comfortably. The playpen shouldn’t be used by babies able to push up and sit up unassisted. The canopy is full-coverage with one foldable side. It protects your baby from insects and sun radiation outdoors.

The small infant playard has two brightly-colored hanging toys with different textures. They help your baby develop their motor skills. The product is easy to clean as the sleeping pad is wipeable. The sheet is machine-washable.

The overwhelming majority of reviews are 5-star with people absolutely loving this product. One reviewer, CT 1509, says it’s so much bigger than expected that her 2-year-old daughter can sit inside alongside her 2-month-old sleeping son. Jessica Staley, another happy owner of the dome, says it’s a must-have item for babies up to 7 months old. The only downside of the piece is that hanging toys are rather short. Your baby might not be able to reach them at first. But you can easily replace them or add more toys.

Pros:
Very easy to fold and set up
Compact
UV and bug protection from the full-coverage canopy
Easy to clean
2 toys for development
Cons:
For infants only
No travel bag

JOOVY Coo Portable Bassinet Playpen

The Coo by JOOVY is a very stylish minimalistic bassinet-playpen that will be a great fit for any interior.

This is a “no bells and whistles” playard of excellent quality that you can use in small spaces. The infant bassinet is safe to use for newborns and up to your baby reaches 15lbs. However, if they learn how to push up to hands and knees first, you’ll have to move them to the playpen area right away. While the removable bassinet is in place, you can use the area under it for easy storage.

The pack and play is minimalistic and compact. It folds flat in two easy moves. The folded product weighs about 18lbs. The playpen can be fixed to the frame and immovable or unclipped to use as a rocker. The design is not merely stylish, it’s 100% see-through from every angle and perfectly breathable. The playard requires no assembly, so you can use it right out of the box. The mattress pad is machine-washable.

People who use this pack n play have very high opinions of it. They praise the high quality and beauty of the design. Sarosassah loves hers so much she wants to buy another one to set it up permanently on the second floor of the house. She also says that because the playpen is taller than the average, it’s a good fit for high toddlers. One reviewer complains that the mattress cover is hard to remove. But this should be solved with some practice.

Pros:
Stylish design
Rocker feature
Safe for newborns
Full-size infant bassinet
Compact
Cons:
Hard to remove mattress cover
Expensive

Kinbor Baby Nursery Center Playard

The Nursery Baby Center Playard from Kinbor Baby is an affordable all-in-one nursery center to meet the needs of any parent.

If you are looking for a pack n play that can double up as a portable nursery and you have a tight budget, this is the model you want. It’s equipped with absolutely everything you could wish to find in a travel playard. It has a newborn napper, which turns into a changer once you flip it. It also has a full-size infant bassinet for babies under 15lbs. who cannot push up. It also has roomy storage and diaper stacker on the side.

To top it all, there is a canopy with a toy arch and three soft toys. Finally, the product comes equipped with a removable mosquito net. Oxford fabric is pleasant to the touch and sides are breathable and see-through. The storage pocket, as well as bassinet and changer covers are removable and machine-washable.

The playpen is definitely loved by users, like A. James. It’s no surprise because it offers all the aforementioned features for very little money compared to pack and plays from renowned brands. However, the quality of this product is good in spite of its affordability. However, the canopy design isn’t the best as it’s quite flimsy and the toys are too high for the baby to reach. But considering all you get for so little money, this isn’t a problem at all.

Pros:
Reversible changer and newborn napper
Full-size bassinet
Storage
Mosquito net
Canopy
Good value for money
Cons:
Not fully see-through
Flimsy toy arch and toys

What Is a Pack and Play and How to Use It?

Comparing to a traditional playpen pack and play has numerous advantages. First of all, it’s lighter and easy-folding, which makes it portable and appropriate both for home use and for constant travelling. While at home, you can easily move it around the flat, keeping a watchful eye on your child even when you are occupied with some domestic work.

Secondly, a play yard usually has a rectangular shape and is designed smaller than an average playpen, being suitable even for small flats.

Finally, one of the most important differences between playpen and play yard is that the latter doesn’t only create a safe place for baby’s games or sleep, but also has additional options like a changing table, storage space for clothes and diapers, and a set of toys, music and lights for early learning. That’s why more and more parents today become attracted by the universality of this product and prefer it to playpens, providing their babies with a perfect and secure place for the earliest age of development.

Choosing the Right Type of Pack and Play

Generally, all types of pack and play models present on the market can be divided into two large categories: standard ones and deluxe ones. It’s important to understand that the model’s category is determined only by a number of additional features it has, but doesn’t mean any significant difference in the materials’ quality or a level of security. All reliable brands’ models meet the highest quality and safety standards, no matter whether they are equipped only with the basic options or have some deluxe ones.

Standard Models

Basic set of pack and play’s options usually includes a bassinet, a changing table and a storage space. These models are folded easily and featured with a special bag to pack them in. Their prices are more friendly and usually don’t reach more than $100-level.

Deluxe Models

Deluxe models boast many additional properties that often make them heavier and a little more bulky. They can have twin bassinets, a massage seat, a luxury toy bar and a panel with sounds of nature and lights that stimulates early development of a baby. Their storage hampers are larger and sometimes can be clipped off and kept separately from the play yard.

Important Features to Consider

Some features of a pack and play can be chosen only depending on your personal taste and requirements, but there are some important points to consider that can significantly raise the effectiveness of a play yard and make its use a complete pleasure both for you and your baby.

Bassinet

A bassinet is a kind of removable cradle attached to a frame of a pack and play, where your little one can comfortably sleep. It’s suitable for newborns and infants and while choosing it mind the maximum weight it’s suitable for. The best bassinets can carry about up to 15 lbs. After your baby becomes a toddler, he or she can be transferred to a lower part of the play yard and sleep on the mattress, while bassinet has to be removed completely.

Check out the best pack and play playards with bassinet

Changing Table

Changing table should be strong and wide enough to change the diapers safely. Check if the material is mess-resistant and easy-wiped. Most changing tables are suitable for babies up to 4 months, so make sure to quit using it after your child exceeds the appropriate age.

a mom and her baby near a playard with a changing table

Entertainment Options

Many latest surveys prove that early learning is extremely helpful for healthier development of a baby. That’s why it’s great if a pack and play is equipped with toy bars, lights and sound panel which create a friendly environment for learning new skills and keep your child amused throughout the day.

Canopy

The canopy is a kind of a tent that protects your baby from the heat of the sun or insects’ intrusion, while you are walking in the park or enjoying a nice day at the beach. It can be especially helpful if you are living in a hot climate or going on a trip to warm countries in the summer.

Check out the best pack and play playards with canopy

Storage Space

It’s very convenient to keep at hand all the necessary stuff like additional diapers, wipes, baby’s clothes etc. The best pack and play must surely have a spacious storage place to keep all these things. Check if it is designed safely to prevent baby from picking some items out of it or a possibility of the things to fallout occasionally.

Legs Type

Basically, play yards have either wheels or casters. The first option makes it very easy and convenient to move the whole thing around the flat. However, the casters make the play yard less bulky while folded and prepared for taking along when traveling. That’s why you should choose a variant that is better for your family’s lifestyle.

Proper Material

First of all, a good pack and play has mesh sides that allow you constantly watching your child and make sure that they are safe and happy. Also consider the softness of the material as it must be mild and gentle enough for the delicate baby’s skin. The best option is the machine washable fabric of a bassinet or a seat. In any case, the material must be easy-cleaned for obvious reasons.

Compactness

If you plan to move your baby around in a play yard a lot, choose the model compact and light enough for packing it into a travelling bag. However easy-folding model should stay sturdy and safe while assembled, without any risks of falling apart unexpectedly.

Main Benefits of Pack and Play

Safe Sleeping Space

A pack and play provides the best sleeping place for your baby from newborn to toddler age. It’s completely safe and extremely cozy both for the baby and for you. Some models have a built-in vibration mechanism in the bassinets to enhance a calming effect. In addition, it saves your money and living space allowing you to avoid the necessity of buying both a cradle and a toddler bed that are not as safe as play yards.

Check out the best pack and play playards for sleeping

Perfect for Travel

Travelling families having or expecting babies will surely find this item essential. Due to its lightness comparing to a playpen or a cradle, its compactness and a smart design that allows folding and carrying it easily, it can be taken anywhere, providing a baby with the highest comfort he or she may need. Some models are specially designed for travel, boasting extra-lightness and other crucial qualities.

Check out the best pack and play playards for travel

Early Learning Aids

Beautiful bars with hanging soft toys, colored lights and an electronic panel producing pleasant sounds surround your baby with an environment rich of impressions that help him or her make their first steps in understanding this world and develop the skills crucial for their health.

Perfect Changing Station

A pack and play makes it safe and easy to perform the diaper change without worrying or even waking up your baby. A changing table has a special surface which is cleaned instantly and eliminates mess problems completely.

Safety Guidelines

  • Mind the weight of your baby.To have an opportunity of using your play yard longer, make sure that your baby is well below the average limit of weight and age.
  • Check if the frame is strong enough.As your pack and play might be reassembled many times, you should pick the one with a frame durable and safe enough for this purpose.
  • Look at the fabric condition.Check if the fabric is smooth and doesn’t have any loose threads or other defects.
  • Mind if the item meets safety standards.All materials should be hypoallergenic, free from any harmful chemicals and meet the highest safety standards used for baby’s products.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines strictly.You yourself also participate significantly in maintaining the secure surrounding for your child. So it’s better to study all the safety guidelines provided by a manufacturer in advance and make sure to adhere to them in order to avoid dangerous accidents.

To Sum It Up

As you can see, there are many things to keep in mind while choosing the best pack and play for your baby. Of course, the best way is to select several suitable items via the Internet and then look for them in the local stores. Thus you will be able to check the safety and quality in the most thorough way.

As for the best price, it depends on a situation. There are many beautiful and high-quality play yards with a basic set of options that have an average price yet provide your baby with a proper level of security and comfort. However, if you have extra money and strive to choose for your precious one a really ideal item from all sides, don’t hesitate to do it.