Travel cots test

	Graco Contour Electra
	Score: 27.5/30
Jeep Babycentre	Cosatto on the Move Bassinette Travel Cot	LittleLife Twin Arc Travel Cot
Score: 26/30	Score: 21.5/30	Score: 19/30
BabyDan Travel Cot	Holi-Doze	Hauck Fun for Kids Dream & Play
Score: 22/30	Score: 19/30	Score: 19/30

• Babyworld’s Travel cots big test
• The lowdown on travel cots
• Meet our parent panel
• What we tested for
• Test
  overview – we compare and contrast all travel cots

Babyworld’s big test

Any parent that enjoys regular holidays will understand the benefits
of a travel cot. Designed to provide a safe and comfortable sleeping environment
for your baby whilst away from home, travel cots are available in all
sorts of innovative shapes and sizes for the discerning family-on-the-go.

	Modern designs include rip-proof tent fabrics, pop up or inflatable constructions and lightweight poles that your suitcase will happily accommodate. If you’re a regular channel-hopper and spend many an hour in the air to get to your destination of choice, a portable, lightweight and hard-wearing cot is likely to be at the top of your list.
On the other hand, if your idea of travel is a weekend at grannies, you can probably afford to go with one of the more traditional travel cots which are bulkier in weight but tend to offer bassinettes and a few additional accessories for your baby. Which style you choose really depends on your lifestyle, cash flow and personal preference for your child. Lara Thomas and Finn, Consumer Editor and Product Tester!

The lowdown on travel cots

As with all baby purchases, it’s essential to get it right
so you don’t end up wasting money on something that will spend most of
its time in the back of your storage cupboard. If you’re a ‘one holiday
per year’ family, steer clear of the expensive options and go for something
versatile that will double up as a playpen, toy box or beach pod. You
also need to think about weight, portability and ease of use – even the
most seasoned traveller knows the pitfalls of travelling with children
so look for a cot that you can carry, construct and pack away without
losing your rag!

Longevity is key for regular holiday-makers so look for
a style that will provide plenty of room for your growing baby. Some of
the more compact models are fantastically portable but are generally only
suitable for the first 12 months. Research wisely and you’ll end up with
a cot that’s perfect for your family’s needs, whilst providing comfortable
accommodation for your baby until they are old enough to sleep in a big
bed.

Meet our panel
of parents

This month’s panel are from Manchester and they met through
their husbands who work together at the local actuary. Their babies are
between 4 and 15 months and they are all keen travellers – venturing on
long journeys to see relatives and trips abroad to sunny destinations.

Our panel have been testing the cots for over a month and
even set up a ‘travel cot evening’ to compare notes and discuss the various
features! Each cot has been thoroughly reviewed by each parent panel member
so you can benefit from their individual thoughts and experiences.

The panel hard at work! Special
thanks to dads Anthony and Simon seen here with mischieveous testers,
Alex and Beth

Where to next:

• Read the test
  overview to find the right travel cot for you
• Read the parent panel reviews:
  BabyDan
  Travel Cot
  Cosatto
  on the Move Bassinette Travel Cot
  Graco
  Contour Electra
  Hauck
  Fun for Kids Dream & Play
  Holi-Doze
  
  Jeep
  Babycentre
  LittleLife
  Twin Arc Travel Cot
• Become a parent
  panel member
• See
  all our Big tests – buggies, beach pods, lightweight strollers,
  safety gates and lots more!