The Best Playards, Tested by a Gear Expert and Loved by Parents

Graco has long dominated the playard market, and for good reason. Pack ‘n Plays are well-made, affordable and loaded with thoughtful features that take you from the newborn days through the toddler years. Babylist parents agree; 35% named the Pack ‘n Play as their favorite playard in our Best Baby Products survey. And many parents shared how pleasantly surprised they were at just how useful a playard was. “My son loves it and is in it every day for play and naptime,” one mom said. “I did not realize I would get so much use out of it.”

The Close2Baby model is my favorite for a few key reasons. It’s a workhorse; you won’t come across many other baby products that can do so much for so long. You can use this playard from the day you bring your baby home well into the toddler years. You can set it up at home, take it on the go or use it in place of a bassinet for those early months. “We use this constantly,” one parent told us. “It is our downstairs changing table, our three-month-old uses it as a night bassinet, we use it to travel. We even bought a second one for the grandparents' house. We LOVE this.”

The second reason is the well-thought-out features. The newborn bassinet on the top level is portable, and it pops out to use as a safe space for baby to chill all around your home. When they’ve outgrown that, you can switch to the bassinet level, which offers a bit more space, and then eventually to the full-size playard at the bottom level. There’s also a wipeable changing station, wheels for portability and built-in storage. And it all comes at a fairly affordable price.

Like all baby gear, this playard isn’t without a few flaws. While I wouldn’t describe the open and close mechanism as hard, it takes some practice and isn’t as smooth or as intuitive as some other playards on our list. But considering all of the other features, this isn’t a dealbreaker for me. It’s also on the heavier side, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re looking for something to travel with frequently.

Additional Specs

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 15 lbs; Portable bassinet: up to 20 lbs; Changer: up to 25 lbs; Playard: suggested use 0–2 yrs, up to 30 lbs or 35

• Product Weight: 35.5 lbs

While most playards can pull double duty as travel cribs, if you’re a family that’s regularly on the go—especially by plane—then you may want one that’s specifically designed with travel in mind. The Guava Lotus weighs just 13 pounds (two pounds lighter than the next lightest option on our best-of list and a whopping 22 pounds lighter than the heaviest) and folds up into a backpack. That means you can tote it along while you’re also holding or wearing your little one, pushing a stroller through security and pulling your luggage. “It’s SO compact, easy to travel with, sets up and packs up in seconds,” one parent told us. “It even fits in a checked bag,” another said.

Unlike most playards, the mattress on the Lotus sits flush with the ground, so there’s no weight limit. Because of this, you’ll have a longer usage window than with a standard playard. (Anecdotally, I’ve also found that my kids sleep better when they’re grounded against the floor in these more stable styles of playards rather than elevated even a few inches.) There’s also a zippered side door. Parents love it because it makes it easy to nurse or cuddle their baby, and toddlers love it because it provides a bit of independence. (Not too much, though—you can clip the zipper closed so they can’t escape.)

Setup is certainly not hard, but it does take a few minutes to unfold everything and secure the mattress. And speaking of the mattress, some parents say it feels thin and worry it’s uncomfortable. Remember that safe sleep guidelines say babies need a firm, flat surface for sleep—so what may seem uncomfortable for you is likely fine for a baby. You can use the Lotus as-is from day one, but if you want to make things easier on your back, consider adding the bassinet kit (sold separately). Just be aware that it will up your overall spend quite a bit.

For a more affordable and very comparable travel crib option, check out the Chicco Alfa Lite. There’s no bassinet option and no backpack straps, but otherwise, these two travel cribs are very similar.

Additional Specs

• Child Guidelines: Age 0–3 yrs or until they attempt to climb out; no weight limit

• Product Weight: 13 lbs

Every time I look at this (beautiful) playard, I think to myself, “Why didn’t anyone do this sooner?” The Swift is the perfect example of baby gear that’s stylish and functional. The playard’s clean lines and neutral colorways mean that, unlike some baby products, you won’t mind it taking up a huge chunk of prime real estate in your living space for months on end.

Good looks aside, the Swift is just a really great playard. It’s easy and straightforward to open and close—I’ve done it one-handed. There’s a newborn bassinet option up top to use for the first few months, then a spacious lower section for older babies and toddlers. And the all-around mesh encourages air flow and breathability.

While this playard isn’t extremely heavy, it is about 18 pounds, so it’s fine for moving around a home or getting in and out of a car trunk but not one you’d likely want to travel with by plane all that often. And while it does fold into the included carry bag, it’s not very compact.

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 15 lbs or until baby begins to push up on hands and knees; Playard: birth to 35” tall

• Product Weight: 18.5 lbs

This classic Pack ‘n Play is about as no-frills as it gets, and that’s exactly what I love about it. At under $60, it’s the perfect pick if you’re looking for a budget-friendly playard, need an extra spot in your home where your little one can sleep or play safely or want something for a grandparents’ or sitter’s house.

This model features folding feet and wheels, so it’s 20% more compact when folded—a nice perk for on-the-go. Like all Graco Pack ‘n Plays, the fold isn’t the easiest out there, but it’s not all that tough, either, and you’ll master it after a few rounds of practice. And there’s a carry bag included for when you need to take it away from home.

The only downside is that no accessories are included or available, like a bassinet or a changing station. (There is a storage pocket, though, and although it’s small, it’s large enough to hold a few diapers, wipes, and some diaper rash cream.) But again, considering the price point, this isn’t a big deal.

• Child Guidelines: Birth to 35” tall or until they attempt to climb out

• Product Weight: 18.5 lbs

Maker of Babylist parents' all-time favorite stroller, the Vista, UPPAbaby branched out into the playard space a few years ago and almost immediately had a hit on their hands. Like a few other playards on our best-of list, the Remi combines all-in-one functionality with a beautiful design. And thanks to the included bassinet and roomy lower playard space, you’ll be able to use it for years. “We have used it from day one and we are still using it 11 months in,” one parent told us in our Best Baby Products survey.

Reviews like one parent’s comment “so easy to set up” are common with the Remi. I agree completely; setup and breakdown take seconds and, as promised, you’ll only need one hand. Like a few other playards on our list, the modern design and neutral colors fit into every aesthetic. I also like the breathable sides and zip-down panel. And it’s GREENGUARD Gold Certified, if that’s something that’s important to you when shopping for baby gear.

The Remi is on the more expensive side, especially if you want to add on any accessories. (But as a counter to that, the accessories are really great. I really like the changing station, the waterproof mattress cover and the changing station organizer.) You can also purchase a padded travel bag, but know that the bag + the 20-pound Remi don’t exactly make for a light load.

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 20 lbs or until baby can push up on hands and knees or roll over; Playard: Birth to 35” tall

• Product Weight: 20 lbs

Getting outside with your baby is fun, but it’s also a bit nerve-wracking if they’re a little too free to roam. Taking along a playard can help. While you can definitely use this playard indoors, it really shines for outdoor and on-the-go use. (It’s even great for camping.) The setup is fast and easy; simply pop it open, unfold the dome and pull out the legs and you’re ready to go. There’s a canopy to shade your baby from the sun and keep away bugs and a few colorful toys to keep their interest. And the mattress pad wipes clean and includes a removable, washable sheet.

This playard is the smallest on our list, so you won’t be able to use it as long as some of the larger options. And while it’s light, it is quite a bit heavier than some other similarly sized outdoor playards on the market. (The Instapop Dome from Safety 1st, for example, weighs just seven pounds. But it’s also twice the price and doesn’t have a mattress.) Also keep in mind that the dome folds in half for storage, so while it’s flat, it’s not compact enough to fit in a bag.

Additional Specs

• Child Guidelines: Birth to 20 lbs

• Product Weight: 13 lbs

I spent my first two years as a parent in a small New York City apartment. I definitely didn’t have room for a traditional playard, so I skipped one entirely; however, I often struggled with where to put my son when he wasn’t in his crib and my arms needed a break. The Stardust would have been the perfect option.

This playard has a much smaller footprint than most on our list, making it ideal if you live in a smaller space or simply prefer a more compact option. The fold is also really unique. Unlike most playards, it folds in on itself accordion-style rather than downward, in just a few seconds and with the mattress included. This is easy and convenient but also means you can store it upright just about anywhere, a huge perk for small space living.

The Stardust is pricey, but it does come with a bassinet option, so you’ll be able to use it comfortably from day one. Just know that other than sheets, there aren’t any other accessories available for it.

Additional Specs

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet: up to 20 lbs; Playard: up to 33 lbs

• Product Weight: 14.8 lbs

More babies = more playard. You won’t get compact here, but that’s not the point. The Room2 from Joovy is nearly 50% larger than most playards, totaling ten square feet of play space. It’s a good choice for multiples or if you just want a bigger space to contain your little one. I like the edge-to-edge mesh windows for maximum visibility, the simple, modern design and that a fitted cotton sheet is included.

This playard isn’t light, weighing in at about 30 pounds. But considering its size, the weight feels about right. Some parents also note it’s a bit tricky to break down, so it may be a better choice if you’re looking for more of a permanent play or sleep space. If you want to add on a twin bassinet and a changing table, you can add the Room2 Bassinet Playpen Accessory, but you’ll need to purchase it separately.

Additional Specs

• Child Guidelines: Infant bassinet (sold separately): 2 babies up to 15 lbs each; Changing table (sold separately): baby up to 25 lbs; Playard: up to 35 lbs or 35"

• Product Weight: 29.6 lbs