Best Baby Playpens

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best baby playpen is, I’d recommend The Portable Playard Playpen for Infants and Babies.

When I had my first child, all I did was watch him play and make sure he was safe and sound. Gladly, things changed when I purchased a baby playpen. 

I finally had the time to take showers without rushing to check on my toddler. If you have struggled like me, this article can help you pick the best baby playpen for you and your baby.

Here are the baby playpens I will be reviewing:

• Portable Playard Playpen for Infants and Babies
• Delta Children 36″ x 36″ Playard
• Evenflo Versatile Play Space, Indoor & Outdoor
• Baby Playpen Kids Activity Centre Safety
• Baby Playpen for Babies Playards 8 Panels Infants Toddler
• Summer Infant Pop N’ Play Portable Playard
• Summer Infant Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard
• Costzon Baby Playpen, Kids 8 Panel
• Kidzone Interactive Baby Playpen 8 Panel
• Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard Indoor and Outdoor
  

Why Should You Have a Baby Playpen?

Many new parents don’t see the necessity of getting a playpen or a play yard. Some even eliminate or forget about this item altogether when preparing the long baby shower gift list.

Baby equipment is expensive and numerous. Why should you waste your money instead of just sticking with the basics?

Although a playpen is not highly important, it’s still handy. 

Whether you have a small apartment or a big house, busy or always on the go, a baby playpen can save you tons of time and energy.

These are the three main advantages of having a baby playpen at home. 

• It can provide a safe playing space for your baby, even if you have a small apartment.
• You can do all your household chores without constantly checking on your baby.
• With different options on the market, you can use the best baby playpen for indoors, outdoors, and traveling.

What to Consider When Buying the Best Baby Playpen

Choosing the best baby playpen is highly crucial for you and your child. If you don’t thoroughly consider your needs and your baby’s, you may end up wasting your precious money on the wrong choice. 

So what should you consider when making this important purchase decision?

Usage

Are you planning to use your playpen indoors for safety and entertainment? Traveling? Or different outdoor activities?

Identifying your purpose of purchasing a baby playpen will help you determine the features you need. This includes everything from added toys, a weatherproof build, and lightweight and portable size. 

Your Baby’s Weight

It’s important to take into account your baby’s size and weight. Keeping in mind that some playpens have extra features, such as toys and a bassinet that can add extra weight. A standard playpen can handle heavier babies or toddlers at the same time.

What to Look for in the Best Baby PlayPen

Traditionally, playpens used to come in standard shapes and features. Yet, nowadays, you will find yourself facing a myriad of specifications, options, and forms. 

To make sense of all these, you need to look for certain playpen features that guarantee a high-quality and functional playpen.

Size

Before going through the prices and the additional specifications, you should decide on the playpen size. Do you want a spacious one for your baby to play in without feeling restricted? Or do you require a small one to fit your limited living area?

Keep in mind that some playpens are flexible. You can adjust their size to make them smaller or bigger as you wish.

Safety

Checking the safety specs in your prospective playpen is highly essential. It’s advisable to look for an efficient locker, sturdy build, and high walls measuring at least 50 centimeters. And, for your baby’s safety, avoid any wide gaps or toxic materials. 

Portability 

Whether you’re using the playpen in-house or traveling, opting for an easy folded and stored design is super convenient and handy. Having a compact and lightweight playpen means you can take and store it anywhere. 

Extra Features

Even if you’re looking for simplicity and efficiency, considering a playpen with integrated toys, wheels, padding can offer more entertainment for your baby and make your life easier.

How to Safely Use Your Playpen

Many parents hesitate to buy a playpen due to some infant death incidents associated with them. Yet, what these moms and dads may not think about is the reason behind these unfortunate and fatal accidents. You may guess that the leading cause of injury or death is the playpen itself. 

After all, the innocent babies died while they were playing in it. But, this is a misconception. The primary reason for these deaths is using a playpen unsafely. Unfortunately, some parents may have left their toddlers unattended, and others relied on an irresponsible babysitter.

The following tips show how you use a playpen, and things to avoid, so you can ease your fears.

Correct Usage

• When you receive your playpen, follow the manufacturer guidelines to the letter. Return the playpen immediately if you suspect a malfunction.
• Place it on a steady floor and away from any dangerous furniture, e.g., a tall set of drawers.

Precautions

• Never leave your baby unattended.
• Do not use your playpen when your child is too big for it.
• Do not add padding or mattresses which do not match the playpen size.
• Do not hang toys that may be hazardous for your toddler.

My Top Baby Playpen Reviews

Choosing the best baby playpen for you may be a daunting job, and there are so many to choose from. We have reviewed the best baby playpens, and included key features of each product.

Portable Playard Playpen for Infants and Babies

The Portable Playard Playpen by Babyseater can be an excellent choice for a diverse range of parents. Whether you’re looking for something for indoor or outdoor use, this playpen can cater to all your needs.

It stands out with its both lightweight, compact build, and sturdiness. At the flick of a hand, you can fold and unfold it. If your spouse is busy or you are a single parent, setting and storing the Portable Playard Playpen does not require much effort.

The BabySeater Portable Playpen weighs just around 14.8 pounds and has a folded size of 9.5 inches by 30 inches. The lightweight metal frame offers increased sturdiness and ease of loading and unloading it.

This way, you can move your playpen from one room to another hassle-free. And, for trips, you can store it in the back of your car. Also, the water-resistant floor makes this playpen suitable for taking to a park. 

It includes two secure locks for added safety. This will prevent your toddler from opening the gate and crawling out easily. As a result, you can do your errands around the house at ease without worrying he will escape. 

You do not have to worry about your baby when you are not beside him. The see-through mesh allows you to see him and supervise his play even when you are on the other side of the room.

For extra peace of mind, this playpen comes assembled and ready to use with comfortable padding for your toddler. It also has washable linings for effortless cleaning.

Delta Children 36″ x 36″ Playard

If you’re looking for something colorful and bright with some extra features, the Delta Children Playard may be a suitable choice for you.

The product features a very attractive design for your toddler. It includes a printed side mesh to entertain your babies when they are playing to entice their imagination. This way, your toddler may not get bored quickly. 

It also comes with a mattress and a carrying bag, which can be very beneficial for traveling. You can use the mattress for when it is sleeping time, and the bag for uncomplicated portability. It’s lightweight and folded in minutes, measuring around 28 pounds only, so you do not have to worry about transportation or storage.

The Delta Children baby playpen comes with high enough walls so your child won’t be able to climb out of it. This can ease your mind while you are doing chores around the house. The fabric is high quality and cute with all the bright animals, mixing durability with an aesthetic appeal. 

Additionally, the space is large enough for playtime and moving around. Your child will not feel restricted or suffocated, and you can even invite a playmate if you wish.

Evenflo Versatile Play Space, Indoor & Outdoor

The Evenflo Versatile Play Space offers diverse experience options for parents and their little children.

It features specifications that are both suitable for in-house play and outdoorsy activities. The Evenflo Playpen is 28 inches tall and incorporates a large play space of 18.5 square feet for non-restricted playtime. It is ideal for babies between six months and 24 months, making it a long-lasting purchase.

To make your experience super smooth wherever you are, the Evenflo Versatile features reversible legs with an anti-movement. It is also lightweight and portable, consisting of 16.88 pounds. This means you can transport it from one place to another hassle-free. It also has non-scratch floor pads to protect your home’s surfaces. 

The outdoor stakes that come with the legs increase stability and steadiness on the lawn and other open-air floors. This way, you don’t have to worry about your playpen slipping over wet surfaces. 

Moreover, this baby playpen comes built-in with doors that have a unique hinged design. This feature allows parents to have easy access, putting their child in and out of the playpen. For extra fun and safety outside, this playpen includes UV and weather-resistant characteristics.

Baby Playpen Kids Activity Centre Safety

The Baby Playpen Kids Activity features bright and attractive color patterns built to catch your eyes.

The colors are not only fun, but great for your child’s imagination and cognitive functions. They also offer stimulation and entertainment. Besides, the shapes and prints are fun and amusing to watch. If you want your baby to enjoy playing for many hours without boredom, this baby playpen can be a good option for you.

It’s sturdy, thanks to its flexible and molding quality. The material used is non-toxic and non-odor, which makes it extra safe for your baby.

The Baby Playpen Kids Activity Centre also features a spacious play floor for your toddler to play at ease and for you to join them. The high and durable fence lends more safety to the playpen and protects your baby from climbing over or getting out. 

If you’re looking for extra steadiness and stability, this playpen includes rubber feet under the yard parts to keep it in place. This also prevents any slippery movements, which makes it perfect at a picnic on the lawn. With the anti-blocking design, you get double stability and enhanced security measures for your baby.

For smoother trips, this playpen has a compact design. It is also easy to assemble, which means no more long hours watching videos and reading the manual. In less than 15 minutes, you can have your playpen ready and functional. However, measuring around 34.1 pounds, it might be a little bit on the heavy side for some.

Baby Playpen for Babies Playards 8 Panels Infants Toddler

If you want sturdiness, convenience, and fun in your playpen, this Baby Playpen may be the best baby playpen for you.

This playpen features a durable and firm frame. When tugging the panel, you can feel how hard and unmovable it is. The walls are high and sturdy enough so your baby can stand securely.

It also comes with eight adjustable and flexible panels that you can shape and reshape as you want. You can make a circle, a square, or hexagon, depending on your desires and the space you have. In addition, the eight panels offer a large playground for you to join your baby and have some fun. 

This playpen features different qualities to ensure stability. It has a security lock so your toddler cannot escape. It comes with a safety clearness of four cm and no vertical spaces to prevent accidents such as a foot or hand sticking between the panel or gate openings. 

Another interesting safety feature is the rubberized suction cups underneath the play yard. These prevent energetic babies from moving the playpen once they figure it out.

For your baby’s health, this playpen is made of high-quality polyethylene and it does not include any toxic materials. It is also suitable for babies with a diverse age range up to six years old. Meaning, once you buy it, you can use it for a long time, getting your money’s worth.

And, if you are into traveling, you can assemble and transport this playpen with no trouble. This baby playpen weighs just over 30 pounds.

Summer Infant Pop N’ Play Portable Playard

If you are looking for a small, diverse, and affordable playpen, the Summer Infant Pop N’ Play could work for you.

This playpen gives you the chance to have a secure play area for your baby. It only takes minutes to set up, too. The Summer Infant Pop N’ Play features an ultra-lightweight piece weighing just 12 pounds. It measures 26 inches tall and 48 inches wide. 

The playpen offers you the freedom to move it from one place to another without significant issues or efforts. No more requiring your partner to help transport the playpen from the living room to the baby space and vice versa.

If you are occasionally traveling, this playpen comes with a bag that can be easily folded and unfolded within a couple of minutes. You can load or unload your playpen, and store it in the bag. Plus, the strap makes it easier to handle.

Additionally, this product includes a water-resistant floor, making it suitable for a lazy playtime at home and a trip to the park. If you used to fear damp grass and slippery areas, this feature could help you get over it. 

The airy mesh and freestanding qualities lend this playpen more reliability. The see-through mesh allows you to see your baby’s every move, without having to be beside them at all times.

While the freestanding ability gives this playpen more stability and steadiness, hence your baby will not likely be able to move this playpen or climb out of it easily.

Summer Infant Pop ‘N Play Deluxe Ultimate Playard

If you already dig the Summer Infant Pop N’ Play model, this may impress you even more with its deluxe features.

The Pop N’ Play Deluxe Ultimate playpen offers you the same sturdiness, stability, and easy mobility, but with a twist. This playpen comes with a padded floor for extra comfort and security. This attribute protects your baby from bumping onto the hard floor and offers it a cozy place to sleep and lay down.

The Deluxe Ultimate includes a full-coverage canopy for hot and sunny days outside. The canopy blocks 98 percent of dangerous UVA and UVB rays, protecting your baby from any sun-related dangers. The canopy also has two zip-open panels to allow fresh air to flow.

This playpen also comes with see-through mesh and freestanding features for extra protection and effectiveness. The waterproof floor lining enables your child to have drinks and food within the pen without you worrying about spillages. 

It is lightweight, compact and comes with a travel bag. It weighs just about 12 pounds and measures 26 inches tall and 48 inches wide. You can set it up easily since it is pre-assembled.

Costzon Baby Playpen, Kids 8 Panel

If you are looking for another easy to adjust and colorful baby playpen, check out the Costzon Baby Playpen. This playpen enables you to shape your play yard and offers stimulating forms, colors, and prints for your baby.

This Costzon playpen uses polyethylene, which is a safe, non-toxic, and high-quality material used in many daily products. It offers more sturdiness and health protection to your little ones than other materials.

When it comes to the play area, this playpen is spacious and large enough for your toddler not to feel suffocated or to have playmates to join. It comes with eight adjustable panels. You can form it the way you wish into diverse shapes, a heptagon, circle, triangle, and so on. This provides you with more freedom to adapt your playpen to your own space. 

The eight panels feature bright pink colors, and amusing prints and shapes to stimulate your baby. The activity board includes a picture house, spinning balls, and play phone. These activities allow your little one to have fun in the playpen, without getting bored when staying for long hours. Each panel measures 31 inches wide and 23.5 tall.

This playpen accents a safe lock added to the swinging door hinge. Therefore, your toddler will unlikely figure out this lock and crawl out of it while you are busy. It also comes with a sucking disc to lend the playpen more steadiness. Even if your baby is energetic and strong, they will not push it from its place easily. You can assemble and move this CostZon playpen around your house.

Kidzone Interactive Baby Playpen 8 Panel

The Kidzone Interactive Baby Playpen will make your baby happy and safe while you are busy with housework.

This playpen features an interactive and educational activity board. This consists of a play phone, picture house, and spinning ball. These features combined make your child interested and amused while playing in the yard. 

This playpen is bisphenol-A free and comes with non-odor and non-toxic materials. This is to protect your little ones from any plastic harms on their health, especially if they spend extended time in it.

This Kidzone baby playpen features a spacious playground in overall size and in adjustable panels. You can form the panels to a shape you want. You can also interchangeably add panels to make your playpen smaller or bigger, depending on your needs. Individual panels measure around 29-¾ inches wide and 24-⅜ inches in height.

For security measures, this playpen comes with a sturdy and durable build. Your baby may not be able to push it around, even if he is inside or outside. This is especially true as the panels are thick and come with a molding technique. As a result, the playpen is extremely strong, but also not harsh on toddlers’ skin. 

The locking gate presents a parent-friendly safety latch. It is secure and enables your child to walk in and out with only your intervention. This way, you can do your errands with a relaxed state of mind.

Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard Indoor and Outdoor

Rounding up the list, here is another top baby playpen that might meet your different needs. The Regalo My Play Portable Playard is both suitable for outdoorsy and in-house activities. It also comes with exciting extra features.

The Regalo is compact and lightweight, making it ideal for traveling and transporting. It features a simple folding and unfolding method and an extra carry case with a strap for convenient storage and transportation. When traveling, you can set it up and down in minutes, or take it with you wherever you go trouble-free.

This playpen has a sturdy and durable build. It is equipped with an all-steel frame, durable stitching, and secure lock to double your baby protection and prevent any unwanted incidents. It incorporates a water-resistant nylon floor to protect your baby from both hard and damp surfaces in the open air. 

Despite its compact size, the Regalo play yard is still deemed spacious. It measures 48 inches wide and 26 inches tall, and it comes with six panels. Therefore, you will not have to compromise free play when you opt for this travel-friendly playpen.

Final Thoughts

Our winner for the best baby playpen from this list is The Portable Playard Playpen for Infants and Babies. We chose this because it features all the essential elements at a very affordable price.

It’s sturdy, travel-friendly, highly safe, practical, and weather-resistant. Most importantly, it caters to every parent’s needs when it comes to practicality, security, and deluxe features.