Top 14 Best Pack ‘N Plays with Bassinet and Portable Playards

A pack and play is an excellent choice for a safe place for your kid to play and sleep. These versatile playards are perfect for any situation, indoors or outdoors.

As a new mom, I was clueless about what I needed for baby gear. I had no idea what a pack n play was or why I would need one. I asked my friends and family for advice, but no one could seem to agree on what was the best pack n play for me.

One friend told me to go for a cheap one from a big box store, while another said that I needed to spend a fortune on the best one available. A popular suggestion was to get the MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet, but I wanted something more versatile. After much deliberation, I decided to wing it and picked up a portable playard on sale.

It turns out my cheap pack n play was a total disaster. The fabric was flimsy, and it didn’t stand up to even the slightest bit of wear and tear. Within a few months, the whole thing had started to fall apart.

I wish I had done some research before purchasing my next pack n play. Many are on the market, and it is hard to find the right one. This list has something for everyone.

Check out this list of the 14 Best Pack ‘n Plays. Our top picks include the best overall, most versatile, most portable, budget-friendly, best pack n play with bassinet, and best for newborns. Each one has different features, making it easy to find one perfect for you.

The Best Pack ‘n Plays Compared

Do I need a Pack ‘n Play?

Pack ‘n Plays are a favorite for moms because of their versatility. They are perfect for any situation, and most come with a raised bassinet and a changing station.

If you are looking for a safe space for your child to play and sleep, then a pack and play is the perfect option. They grow with your baby and are very portable. Playards are a must-have that should be included in any Baby Registry.

Features to Look for in a Pack ‘N Play

When choosing a portable playard, you want to decide what you want. There are different types and go from basic to deluxe models with bells and whistles.

Are you getting this for your baby’s main sleeping area starting from birth? Do you want a no-frills playard to put your baby in while you make dinner? Maybe you need a portable crib for travel or a crib to leave at grandma’s for occasional overnights. There is a pack ‘n play playard available for you.

When choosing a pack and play, you want to decide what features are important to you. Some things to look for include:

What is the best Portable Playard for your needs?

If you are looking for something to be your baby’s main sleeping area, you want a model that has an infant bassinet. You may want to also look for one that has a changing table and storage pockets attached.

Travel pack ‘n plays should be lightweight and easy to put up and takedown with a push-button fold. You want to look for ones with an included carry bag or carrying handles. Wheels would also be a great feature to quickly move it around a room to where you need it.

If this is going to be used for an outdoor play area for infants to toddlers, you want to look for one that has a canopy you can attach. A major plus if the canopy has UV protection. It should also be lightweight and easy to move.

Best Pack and Plays

The Baby Trend Retreat is the Best Overall Portable Playard. It has everything you need. It has a reasonable price for this all-in-one solution. 

This playard has a removable rock-a-bye bassinet with a canopy and carrying handles. The changing station and deluxe organizer make diaper changes easy. There is also a full-size infant bassinet that you can remove once the baby has reached the height and weight limits. 

The large playard is stable and has large wheels allowing you to move it anywhere. There’s a sound machine and electronic music center with volume control, plus you may use it to listen to music or nature sounds. A nightlight and vibration are included in this pack and play as well.

The Graco Newborn2Toddler Pack n Play is the ultimate all-in-one playard making it the most versatile. It has seven different ways to use it from newborn stage to toddler. There is an infant napper and a changing station that are removable. They can attach to the top of the bassinet or the top of the entire playard.

The full-size bassinet can be removed and used as a toddler cot while using the infant napper and newborn changer separately. This feature is not on any other pack ‘n plays I have seen. If you have multiple babies, this is a game-changer.

The removable bassinet makes an excellent travel bassinet for a newborn and later a travel toddler cot. There is also great storage for anything you may need within reach. Without the bassinet, it becomes a full-size playard.

It is on the more pricey side of the pack ‘n plays, but I think the extra features make it well worth it.

At only 15 lbs, the 2 in 1 travel crib by Flisko is the most portable of the pack n plays. It is easy to fold up and comes with a convenient carrying case. The infant bassinet can sleep a newborn up to a 6-month-old. Then the bottom area can sleep a baby from 6 months to 3 years old.

The zipper down door and mesh sides create a great play area while on the go. It is lightweight and compact. I love this one as a travel crib.

If you are looking for a traditional pack n play with excellent features but won’t break the bank the Pamo Bebe Deluxe Nursery Center is for you. It comes out to around the same price as a very basic Graco playard but still has excellent additions for a newborn.

This playard has a changing station you can remove. The newborn bassinet gives your baby a comfy place to rest. The one-hand push-button fold makes storing or traveling a breeze.

It also comes with a carrying case to take on the go. The only thing missing is an organizer or storage pocket for baby products. This model is a very reasonable price for the features you get.

Best Pack n Play with Bassinet

The Graco Pack and Play Travel Dome LX Playard have everything you need for the first few years of your baby’s life. It is an All-in-one for newborns to toddlers. The portable dome bassinet has a large canopy with UV 50 protection, making this the best pack ‘n play for a newborn. This portable dome makes an excellent bassinet for a newborn sleeping space. I love how it is so portable; it has a travel bag.

Once your baby outgrows the newborn bassinet, an eye-level full-size bassinet is available. The changing table and built-in organizer make changing diapers a snap.

A storage container bag is included for both the Portable Bassinet and the Playard to take them on the go together or separately. Because of the convenient travel bag, this makes for easy travel from newborn to toddler.

The Baby Trend E has a bassinet combo that you can use from birth to about four months or a weight limit of 15lbs. The mobile overhead keeps your baby entertained. The removable organizer keeps all of your baby essentials close. You can use this nursery center for up to 18 months. Once the bassinet is no longer needed, it becomes a basic playard or infant bed up to 30lbs.

Included is a carrying bag, and the one-hand locking mechanism makes put up and take down a breeze. The wheels and brakes allow you to move it from room to room without sacrificing stability.

The Graco Close2Baby Bassinet Playard has a portable bassinet so you can have a sleep space for your baby next to you anywhere in your home. The diaper changer is easy to clean and the convenient storage area keeps everything you need close by.

As your baby grows, it converts to an infant bassinet and then a spacious playard. The Close2Baby Pack ‘n Play provides comfort for your baby and convenience for you.

The 4moms Breeze Plus is an all-in-one care station with a removable full-size bassinet and a detachable snap-on changer. You can easily clean the diaper changer area by wiping it down with a damp cloth. Convenient storage bag for easy travel. Easy one-push open and close.

Converts to a playard when you no longer need the bassinet. It is great for younger babies and can be used from birth up to 30lbs. This model does not have any storage, but a diaper caddy is sold separately.

This playard has everything you need for newborns to toddlers. The changing table has a vinyl top for easy cleaning and supports 25 lbs. It also flips up and away for easy access to the full-size bassinet below.

The diaper organizer allows you to keep everything you need for the baby nearby. Includes a convenient carry bag for when you are on the go. When your baby no longer needs the bassinet, you can remove it so they can use the play space.

The full-size bassinet offers a comfortable sleeping area for your baby. Once your baby outgrows the bassinet, you can remove it to access the full-size play yard. The removable changing table is convenient for diaper changes and dressing babies.

The mobile has hanging toys that encourage early visual development. The Snap-on storage is excellent for keeping diapers and wipes nearby. The quick, compact fold makes it very travel-friendly.

The newborn napper with a canopy is perfect for naps during the day. The hanging soft toys help keep them entertained while awake. The flip-away changing table is convenient for all of those diaper changes.

A small storage pocket allows you to keep the essentials nearby. As your baby grows, it turns into a play yard with wheels and brakes, making it easy to move from room to room.

This Graco Pack ‘n Play is fantastic! It features a reversible napper changer section. You can easily convert it from a napper to a changer. The napper/changer is also portable, making it the perfect space for your baby to rest close by while you shower if you aren’t ready to shower with your baby.

The full-size bassinet comes out once the baby has outgrown it to create a full-size play area for babies and toddlers up to 25 lbs. The only thing lacking with this pack n play is the storage area. There is a storage pocket, but it is flimsy, and things fall out.

This playard has a full-size removable bassinet perfect for the baby’s sleep area while on the go or as a second napping area in another room. I had this downstairs for naps when I first brought my newborn home.

The compact fold makes it easy to take anywhere. The soft toy bar gives your baby entertainment and visual stimulation. Once your baby outgrows the infant bassinet, it becomes a convenient play yard and travel crib.

This Graco pack n play has an infant seat with micro-fleece fabric creating soft padding and a cozy area for the baby to nap. You can use the diaper changer for newborns up to 30 lbs. The soothing sounds and vibrations make calming your baby easy.

The best thing about this is the built-in storage shelves. This is the only pack n play with actual shelves under the bassinet. You have a ton of storage which makes it the perfect solution for a small room or to keep at grandma’s house for those overnighters.

Is Graco the Best Pack ‘n Play Brand?

The Graco pack n play brand is popular because they have a different one for any situation. They innovate and create new inventions with the parent in mind. Their products are designed to make a parent’s life a little easier. You can find a product to match it at a reasonable price no matter your needs.

Most of the products I use for my children have been Graco products. I have always had a good experience with them all.

However, as seen with my top 14 pack ‘n plays, there are a lot of very comparable brands. There are always going to be different innovations. I have not seen a few styles available with Graco pack n play, but I have in other brands, which might work better for specific situations.

Pack ‘n Play FAQs

1. Is a pack ‘n play the same as a playard?

A Pack n Play is sometimes called a playard. Typically a pack n play will have a bassinet attachment for a newborn to sleep in. The actual play space is considered the playard. Not all playards have a space that the baby can safely sleep in, they only provide a safe play area, but a pack n play does.

2. At what age can my child use a pack ‘n play?

A pack n play is made to be used for newborns and up. They typically can accommodate a baby from birth up to 25-30lbs. Some can last until three years of age.

3. How can I check for recalled playards?

You can check the Consumer Product Safety Commission site for all recalled products. You can also find a list of recalled products for a specific brand on their site. You should never use a recalled playard since it may compromise the baby’s safety.

4. Are pack ‘n plays safe?

Yes, pack ‘n plays are safe. There are safety standards that all portable play yards or pack ‘n plays must follow. When using a play yard or pack ‘n play, you must also practice safety standards. You should always supervise a baby while in a pack n play. There should be no soft, loose bedding or stuffed animals in the pack n play. They should not continue using if the child can crawl out independently.

5. Is it safe to use sheets in a pack ‘n play or playpen?

Yes, you can use sheets in the pack ‘n play. They should fit snuggly and not be able to move around. Look at the manufacturer’s recommended sheets to use. However, the playpens or play yards that are used primarily for play and should not double as sleeping areas do not typically use sheets.

6. Is a pack ‘n play safe for sleeping?

Yes, pack ‘n plays are safe for sleeping. They are designed for sleep, travel, and play. They are made to be a convenient 3-in-1. A travel crib your baby can sleep in and play in when they get older.

7. Can a pack ‘n play be used as a crib?

Yes, a pack n play can be used as a crib. Some are not designed for daily use, however. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before purchasing one used as an everyday crib.

8. How long can you use pack ‘n play?

A pack n play usually has a weight limit of around 30 lbs or a max height of approximately 35 inches. This will allow you to use it until your baby is about 18 months’ ~30 lbs, or ~35 inches, whichever comes first. You can use some pack ‘n plays for children up to 3 years old. You need to check the recommendations on the particular pack n play you have or are thinking of getting.

Additional Information

Pack ‘n Play Mattress

Pack and play mattresses are sold separately if you need one. Make sure you get the correct size to fit your dimensions. Some of them fold up for travel convenience.

Most Pack ‘n Plays come with a mattress pad meant to be the mattress for the pack n play. It is not recommended to put a different padded mattress or other mattresses in the pack n play that already has one. An ill-fitting mattress can have gaps and lead to entrapment or suffocation.

A sleeping area for newborns should be firm. I like to use quilted sheets for extra comfort on top of the typical pack’ n play mattress pad. I’ve used these playard sheets on my pack ‘n play pads and they fit perfectly.

Pack ‘n Play Dimensions

The average dimensions of a pack ‘n play are Height: 29″ Width: 28.5″ Length: 40″

Each brand differs slightly, and some are a lot taller than others. There are also extra-large play yards, so the dimensions of length and will be a little more.

Playard sheets that are made to fit most pack ‘n plays are ‘9″ x 27″. That is the size that is supposed to fit most pack ‘n plays. See your manufacturer’s product information for more info.

Difference Between a Pack ‘n Play and a Playpen

A Pack n Play is designed for the baby to sleep and play in. There is a bassinet insert that you can use for newborns to sleep in. It has a bottom and is enclosed with four mesh sides. There is usually a height and weight limit.

A playpen is typically a structure designed for a baby to play in. Some have a bottom, but not all of them. It could just be an enclosure that keeps the baby contained in a specific area while they play. They are not designed to have the baby sleep in them.

Conclusion

Pack and plays are convenient for having your baby sleep, play, or travel. A bassinet insert you can use for newborns to sleep in. The pack n play has a bottom and is enclosed with four mesh sides.

This article provides you with the options for the best pack n play with bassinet available on the market today and what may work best for your needs. Some include hanging toys or a toy bar. Others have a changing table and newborn napper. Most include a carry bag, so they are great for travel or use on the go. Once the baby outgrows the infant bassinet, it can be removed and used as a play yard.

All opinions are my own. Follow all safety recommendations as laid out by each manufacturer. Always practice safe sleep practices with your baby.