Portable cots are very handy when you need to put your baby down to sleep while visiting friends, or when you're leaving them with the grandparents for the day. But how can you tell which portable cots are safest? What features should you look for? Are accessories like change tables useful, or a potential hazard?
To help you make the right choice, we went out and bought 10 portable cots — in retail stores, just like you would — and tested them in our lab.
Our testers examined the cots against the safety requirements of the Australian standard, AS/NZS 2195:1999, looking for strangulation hazards, limb and finger traps and footholds that a toddler might use to climb out of the cot. They also checked how easy the cots are to set up, pack away, move around and store.
Our test results give you clear, unbiased advice on which portable cots are safest and easiest to use. You might also be interested in our 2009 test of regular cots.
Update February 2008: Standard made mandatory
A new mandatory safety standard for portable cots was announced in February, and will take effect from 1 March 2009. It includes requirements for ensuring the folding mechanism is secure, that there are no gaps that could trap a child’s head, the mattress is safe and that the cot has adequate warnings about safe use. It’s a basic set of safety tests based on the voluntary Australian standard for folding cots, AS/NZS 2195:1999. The full standard includes many other tests, such as for finger and limb traps; sharp edges and points; and strength of construction.
We welcome the introduction of the mandatory safety standard, but it is a minimum standard. Portable cots should ideally comply with the full voluntary Australian standard.
Brands tested:
- Babylove Momento 3 in 1 BL950 #
- Bertini Jet 3 in 1 003945 #
- Childcare Galaxy 077200
- Graco Pack 'n Play 9120JEGU #
- Love N Care Play Land BP998
- Mother's Choice Nova 2 in 1 005854
- Phil & Teds T2
- Quicksmart Easyfold B77720 #
- Steelcraft Sonnet 32416
- Swallow Lite 'N' EASY Echo
# Model is discontinued, but some stock may still be available.
See our lastest article on Portable cots.