Play Yards: Reviews

Updated January 2010

If you can’t decide between a play yard and a portable crib, our reports on the subjects can help you decide. We have analyzed reviews from parenting magazines, safety experts and parents just like you to determine which is the best product to house your sleeping child when away from home.(See our report on Portable Cribs to compare.)

FONT
PRINT

February 22nd:
Cribs, playpens & bassinets cause 9,500 ER visits yearly
From: ConsumerSearch

Compare All

Best full-featured play yard

Chicco Lullaby LX Play Yard

*Est. $165 Compare Prices

Thickly padded for added comfort, the Chicco Lullaby LX Play Yard earns points from reviewers for its versatility. The toy gym entertains a baby lying in the bassinet attachment, but it can also be removed with the… expandmattress for use as a play mat. This play yard also features a convenient changing station that folds down when not in use. A remote control allows parents to program music, vibrations and a nightlight. Available in 12 patterns, the Chicco Lullaby LX folds using a push-button mechanism and includes a carrying bag for easy storage and travel. The play yard can be used with children up to 30 pounds, the bassinet with babies up to 15 pounds, and the changing station with babies up to 25 pounds. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: The latest roundup of play yards conducted by ConsumerReports.org includes the Chicco Lullaby LX. In this review, six models are tested and rated according to portability, safety and ease of use.

Baby Bargains: The latest edition of the popular baby gear book includes an analysis of play yards, with recommendations for various models based on their intended use and features offered.

Babble.com: Babble.com tests play yards and recommends their top picks, although they don't provide specific information about how testing was conducted.

BabyGizmo.com: The senior editors of BabyGizmo.com offer five picks for play yards, including detailed reviews and ratings for four of the selected models.

Babies 'R' Us: Nearly 280 owners have posted reviews for the Chicco Lullaby LX on BabiesRUs.com, where it has an average rating of four stars out of five.

TheCradle.com: This buyer's guide to playpens offers recommendations for the best play yards, including the Chicco Lullaby LX, although no further information is provided regarding the selection process or specific features of each model.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $179.99
SmartMomma for $179.00	BabyEarth for $169.95	Amazon for $169.00

Best portable play yard

Graco Travel Lite Crib

*Est. $80 Compare Prices

Twenty percent smaller than a standard play yard, the Graco Travel Lite Crib is convenient for traveling and for small homes where a regular size playpen would take up too much space. Despite its diminutive size, the… expandGraco Travel Lite Crib offers a removable bassinet with quilted bumpers and a canopy with soft hanging toys for a baby's entertainment. Wheels on one end make the Travel Lite easy to move from room to room, as many reviewers report doing with ease. Weighing 19.7 pounds, this lightweight playpen is easily transported in the included carrying bag. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: The latest play yard review conducted by ConsumerReports.org includes the Graco Travel Lite Crib.

Baby Bargains: Playpens are covered in detail by authors and consumer advocates Denise and Alan Fields in this most recent edition of their popular baby gear book.

Canadian Family: A family tests and reviews the Graco Travel Lite Crib.

Walmart.com: More than 215 owners have posted reviews of the Graco Travel Lite Crib in Betsey at the time of our visit, where it has an average rating of five stars out of five.

Babies 'R' Us: Forty reviews for the Travel Lite Crib in Betsey were available at the time of our visit to BabiesRUs.com.

Amazon.com: About 35 owner-written reviews for the Travel Lite Crib in Betsey are available on Amazon.com.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $200.00
Diapers.com for $89.99	Albee Baby for $99.99	BabyEarth for $89.95

Large budget play yard

Graco Pack 'n Play TotBloc Playard in Bugs Quilt

*Est. $75 Compare Prices

A basic play yard with a floor and four mesh walls, the Graco Pack 'n Play TotBloc Playard in Bugs Quilt boasts a 10-square-foot play area that is larger than most. Each side features a toy that crinkles, squeaks or… expandrattles. If the idea of toys attached to the sides doesn't appeal to you, two other versions of the TotBloc are available that don't include this feature. One caveat: The large play area means this unit will take up more space in your home, but reviewers say it's easy to set up and tear down, so it can be put away when not in use. We also found good reviews for other versions of the Graco Pack 'n Play. This particular model does not include a bassinet, but other versions, including the Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Automatic Folding Feet, do. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Amazon.com: More than 380 owners have posted reviews of the Graco TotBloc in Bugs Quilt, giving it a perfect five-star average rating.

Walmart.com: The Graco TotBlock has a perfect five-star average rating on Walmart.com, based on 380 owner-written reviews, at the time of our visit.

Choice magazine: Ten different play yards are rated by this Australian consumer magazine, including the Graco TotBloc Pack 'n Play.

TheCradle.com: This buyer's guide to playpens offers valuable buying advice and safety information, and recommends seven different play yards.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $109.99
Diapers.com for $109.99	Albee Baby for $99.99	Amazon for $109.99

Basic play yard with bassinet

Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Automatic Folding Feet

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

The most affordable standard play yard recommended in reviews, the Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Automatic Folding Feet comes in seven patterns. Weighing just 21.1 pounds with wheels and feet that collapse, this playpen… expandfolds more compactly and is light enough for easy travel. The included carrying bag improves portability. A removable bassinet and toy bar with soft hanging toys make this affordable play yard comparable to some more expensive models. The bassinet may be used with babies up to 15 pounds, and the play yard is approved for use with children less than 35 inches tall who are unable to climb out on their own. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Baby Bargains: The eighth edition of the popular baby gear book includes a detailed write-up of play yards, including recommendations for several models in various categories.

Amazon.com: More than 160 owners weigh in with their opinions of the Graco Pack 'n Play with Bassinet (also known as the Graco Pack 'n Play with Automatic Folding Feet). This play yard has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five.

Target.com: Over 60 owners have posted reviews for the Graco Pack 'n Play with Automatic Folding Feet at the time of our visit to Target.com, where it has an average rating of four stars out of five.

Babies 'R' Us: The Safari Friends pattern in the Graco Pack 'n Play with Automatic Folding Feet has an average rating of four stars out of five, based on more than 100 owner-written reviews.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $83.50
Albee Baby for $74.99	Amazon for $69.99

Large, all-weather play yard

North States Industries Super Yard XT

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

The North States Industries Super Yard XT consists of six plastic walls that can be configured in multiple ways to create an 18.5-square-feet enclosed play area, suitable for use both indoors and out. There's no floor, no… expandincluded toys and no accessories, but its simple design allows it to double as a baby safety gate, blocking off certain dangerous areas of a room, such as a fireplace or Christmas tree. With the purchase of an extension kit (*Est. $35) this play yard can be expanded to create 34.5 square feet of enclosed space. collapse

See Our Full Review

Expert & User Review Sources:

Walmart.com: An impressive 1,183 reviews were available for the North States Industries Super Yard XT on Walmart.com at the time of our visit.

Amazon.com: More than 250 owner-written reviews are available for the North States Super Yard XT on Amazon.com, where it maintains an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five.

ToysRUs.com: ToysRUs.com has nearly as many owner-written reviews of the Super Yard XT as Amazon.com; nearly 240 reviewers give the Super Yard XT an average rating of four stars out of five.

A Mom's Guide to Surviving Everyday Life: This individual product review for the North States Industries Super Yard XT provides a good general overview and recommends this play yard, particularly for use with multiples.

Where to buy:

See All Stores

Buy from Amazon for $48.98
Diapers.com for $64.99	eBay for $68.99	Kotula's for $79.99

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Lite *Est. $250

4 picks by top review sites.

Graco Pack 'n Play Classic Playard - Brentwood *Est. $115

2 picks by top review sites.

Graco Newborn Napper Pack 'n Play *Est. $150

2 picks by top review sites.

Summer Infant Nature's Purest Hug Me Complete Comfort Playard *Est. $160

2 picks by top review sites.


	BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light , Blue In Stock. Average Customer Review: