travel be reviews

Air Mattresses As the name implies, an air mattress is filled almost entirely with air. Inflating these mats requires you to either blow air through a valve or use a pump. What you gain is weight savings: At a given thickness, an air mat might weigh half or even less than a comparable self-inflating mattress. Moreover, air mattresses are the most compressible pad option. Even insulated models with synthetic or down-fill bonded to the interior can be rolled into a compact size, which makes storage and transport very easy. This is great for backpacking, but overall comfort does fall short compared with a self-inflating pad. Air mats lack the squishy and supportive feel that you get with foam. Foam Pads Your classic sleeping mat is made of closed-cell foam. These pads don’t require any inflating to set up—just unroll it and you’re done. The big upside is there’s no risk of getting a puncture, but closed-cell foam is by far and away the least comfortable mattress type (there's a reason that none made our list above). They are very thin (less than 1 inch vs. 2 inches or more for a self-inflating or air mat), so they can’t disguise bumps in the ground beneath you. But if you’re the type that can comfortably crash on a friend’s floor—and we mean directly on the floor—save yourself some coin and get a foam pad like the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest . This pad will set you back around $30 and offer all the comfort your steel body requires. If you’re like the rest of us, however, one of the other pads from our list above will suit you much better.  

Sleeping Mats vs. Air Beds

With plenty of sleeping space in your camping tent , you may have the luxury to decide between a traditional sleeping mattress or a full-on blow up air bed. So which one should you choose? The main benefit of an air bed is it gets you farther off the ground for easier in and out (a cot can do the same). Further, the large size is great for couples, families, or if you just like to spread out. And if you’re trying to save some dough, air beds are friendlier for use at home for guests, especially if you choose a two-person queen-sized air bed. In terms of comfort, however, we give the standard sleeping mat the upside, particularly those that have foam in the construction.

A cot may stretch the definition of a sleeping mattress—which is why we haven't included any on our list above—but it’s a viable and popular way of sleeping in a tent. Many people like cots because there's no risk of deflation, the sturdy metal structure gets you off the ground, and they can also double as a couch for hanging out during the day. Comfort-wise, they usually fall in the mid-range, although you can always add a mat overtop.

The most important consideration is whether you can transport the cot and fit it inside your tent. Most cots only fold in half, so they are extremely large. If you’re bringing a few cots, it may be impossible to squeeze everything into your vehicle. And inside your tent, the tall height of the cot may run into the sloped walls. But if you have the space and are willing to haul it around, a cot can be a great choice for camping. Some of our favorite options are Coleman’s ComfortSmart Deluxe, REI’s Kingdom Cot 3 , and Mountain Summit Gear’s Horizon Cot.

In the same way buying your mattress at home is a personal decision, not everyone will agree on which camping mattress type is best. The good news is that most quality mattresses are in fact quite comfortable. We give the edge to self-inflating pads for the cushy but supportive foam that makes them a little more comfortable to us, but back sleepers, side sleepers, and even stomach sleepers should be happy with most of the models that made out list.

For some general guidelines regarding pad thickness, side sleeping puts a higher percentage of weight around the hips and shoulders, so a pad or air bed that’s 3 inches thick or more is advisable. Back sleepers—depending on personal preferences—can get away with a thinner pad. And if you're a finicky sleeper, it's not a bad idea to upgrade to a premium pad like the 4.25-inch thick Therm-a-Rest MondoKing . It's true that tolerant sleepers can deal with less, but if you camp out a lot, it's often worth the investment.

In addition to thickness, sidewall design can also have a sizable impact on sleeping comfort. This is a pretty key differentiator between budget/mid-range self-inflating pads and high-end designs: In general, you can expect cheaper pads to taper and slope downward along the sides, while many premium models boast vertical sidewalls that allow you to enjoy the entire, flat platform. Standouts in the latter category include the Therm-a-Rests MondoKing 3D, Nemo Roamer, and Exped’s DeepSleep and MegaMat collections . Combined with their generous cushioning, these pads offer excellent all-around comfort and will feel the most like your mattress at home. By comparison, tapered sidewalls—like what you get with budget designs like the Sea to Summit Camp SI—eat into the amount of usable space, meaning you’re getting a little less length and width than the specs suggest.

In the spirit of comfort, camping pads and mattresses have a much larger footprint than their backpacking cousins. Some are offered in the smaller 72-inch length, but many start at approximately 77 inches, and extend to 80 to 85 inches (the XXL version of the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D is 80 x 30 inches). The longer length is great for taller folks, but just about everyone can appreciate the extra width. 20-inch pads are standard fare for backpacking and usually mean at least one arm is sliding off the pad during the night. The 25 or 30-inch widths you get with a camping pad (extending as wide as 60-inches for a queen-size air bed) are a welcome relief and can make a real difference in nighttime comfort. Active sleepers that roll around in their sleeping bag will also appreciate the additional space.

A camping mattress’ ability to insulate you from the cold ground is measured in R-value, and a higher number indicates better protection. Not all manufacturers provide the spec, but it's a helpful tool when available. In the heat of summer—especially at lower elevations—you can get away with almost no insulation in most cases (an R-value in the 1-3 range should suffice). For three-season use, we recommend getting a pad with at least an R-value of 3. If you’ll be out in the winter, potentially sleeping on top of snow, get a mattress with a rating above 5. And for these conditions, it’s often a good idea to combine your inflatable mattress with a foam pad, not only for a boost in insulation, but also a level of security should your inflatable pad spring a leak.

Camping is typically a drive up and unload kind of activity, so the weight and packed size of your gear isn’t always the number one consideration. And in choosing your camping gear, it’s almost always worth taking the more comfortable and durable route rather than the lightest or most compressible. That said, if you don’t have a whole lot of extra space in your rig (or home for long-term storage), it’s worth checking the specs before buying a massive camp bed. For example, the Hest Sleep System Sleeping Pad measures 14 x 25 inches and weighs a whopping 26 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum are crossover car camping and backpacking options like Nemo's Quasar 3D (2 lb. 1 oz. with a 9 x 5.5-in. packed size) and Sea to Summit's Camp SI (2 lb. 7 oz. and 8 x 13.5 in. for the Rectangular Wide model). The sweet spot for comfort, durability, and practicality is somewhere in between for most campers.

With weight out of the equation, most camping mattresses are very durable. Their thick fabrics are far less likely to get a puncture or spring a leak than a backpacking model, which is nice if you plan to sleep outside without a tent or have kids and/or dogs. There are, however, still differences between models, which is why we suggest checking the denier ratings (if available). For camping mats, denier ranges from about 50D to 150D (the Nemo Quasar is one exception with a thin 30D shell), with the higher numbers offering greater tear and puncture resistance. The underside of a pad often gets the most abuse, so it’s a good idea to look into that thickness in particular. And finally, material quality matters, so you can expect a pricier option of a similar denier to provide superior durability.

The majority of camping mattresses are self-inflating and utilize a familiar twist valve. Opening the valve allows the pad to work its self-inflating magic and expand the foam. Depending on the model, you may or may not need to blow a few extra breaths to get the mat fully inflated. We’ve found that the quality of the valves does vary by price, and budget pads like the Coleman Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad have a flimsier plastic than premium options from REI or Therm-a-Rest, which impacts long-term durability. In addition, some of the large self-inflating pads, like the Exped MegaMat or Therm-a-Rest MondoKing, have two valves to shorten inflation and deflation times.

Having to manually inflate a large air pad or air bed can be a time-consuming and dizzying experience (or an impossible task in the case of an air bed), so most manufacturers will include some sort of pump. For instance, Nemo's Quasar 3D can be inflated easily by opening the stuff sack, connecting it to the mat, and folding the bag over to force air into the pad (very little breath required). Overall, we’ve found that air pad pumps aren't as simple as a self-inflating design, but they fully inflate their respective sleeping mats in only a few minutes.

The outdoor apparel world has seen a sizable uptick in the use of sustainable practices in recent years, and camping mattresses are no exception. Recycled materials are the most common measure, as seen in pads like the REI Co-op Trailmade and Camp Dreamer XL, Nemo’s Quasar 3D and Roamer, and Exped’s Dura 8R. The Quasar and Roamer are also certified as bluesign-approved, indicating that the materials and chemicals used during production meet strict environmental and health standards, and the Dura uses down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which ensures the birds were treated humanely (e.g., no force-feeding or live plucking). A final way to shop sustainably is to buy from a Climate Neutral Certified brand like REI Co-op, who has made significant efforts to reduce—and eventually eliminate—greenhouse gas emissions during production and delivery. 

A final camping mattress consideration is how and where you’ll be storing it between trips. To maximize lifespan, it’s best to leave your self-inflating pad unrolled and with the valves open. This can create some challenges with a huge mattress like the Exped MegaMat Duo 10, but one possible location is storing it under a bed (provided you have the space). If you must leave a self-inflating pad rolled up in its bag, try to do your best to occasionally let it self-inflate to avoid long-term damage to the open-cell foam. Air mats are easier: When finished, open the valve, release all the air, and keep it in a storage sack to avoid accidental punctures. Finally, closed-cell foam pads require the least attention, although you’ll want to be sure not to leave any heavy objects on top of them to compress the material.

• Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Sleeping pads designed for backpacking are about keeping weight as low as possible, while retaining enough warmth and comfort. The downside of then using your lightweight backpacking pad while camping is that it’s another opportunity for the thin fabrics to spring a leak. It’s strange to say, but we’ve found that the easygoing camping life can actually be more damaging to your lightweight gear than being in the backcountry. Whatever the reason, we’ve had backpacking pads that never leaked catch a dog’s nail or other hazard and deflate on the simplest of camping trips.

We do understand the financial motivation to only purchase a single pad, and there are options that cross over nicely. Of the mattresses that are most comfortable for camping, we recommend Nemo's Quasar collection and Sea to Summit’s Comfort Light designs. For a full list of our recommendations, see our article on the best backpacking sleeping pads . Back to Our Top Camping Mat Picks   Back to Our Camping Mat Comparison Table

Learn More About Outdoor Gear

Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Review

Camping Gear Reviews

Best Camping Tents of 2024

Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024

Best Rain Jackets of 2024

How to Choose a Camping Stove

Sleeping Pad R-Value Explained

Best Duffel Bags of 2024

Best Camping Chairs of 2024

Mobile Menu

Megamenu - desktop hamburger menu.

• Hiking Gear
• Backpacking Gear
• Biking Gear
• Camping Gear
• Footwear Reviews
• Climbing Gear
• Skiing Gear
• Winter Gear Reviews
• In-Depth Gear Reviews
• Hiking Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Trail Running Shoes
• Mountain Bike Shoes
• Approach Shoes
• Climbing Shoes
• Beginner Climbing Shoes
• Mountaineering Boots
• Winter Boots
• Rain Jackets
• Down Jackets
• Synthetic Jackets
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Windbreaker Jackets
• Ski Jackets
• Winter Jackets
• Hiking Pants
• Hiking Socks
• Trekking Poles
• Baby Carriers
• Running Vests
• Backpacking Tents
• Backpacking Packs
• Backpacking Sleeping Bags
• Backpacking Stoves
• Backpacking Food
• Water Filters
• Altimeter Watches
• Handheld GPS
• Mountain Bike Helmets
• Mountain Bikes
• Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
• Mountain Bikes Under $2,000
• Gravel Bikes
• Bike Brands
• Kids' Bikes
• Hitch Bike Racks
• Camping Tents
• Rooftop Tents
• Camping Sleeping Bags
• Camping Mattresses
• Camping Chairs
• Camping Stoves
• Duffel Bags
• Rock Climbing Shoes
• Climbing Helmets
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Quickdraws
• Belay Devices
• Climbing Ropes
• Climbing Backpacks
• Winter Gloves
• 4-Season Tents
• Ski Helmets
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Backpacks
• All-Mountain Skis
• Ski Bindings
• Backcountry Skis
• Backcountry Ski Boots
• Skis for Beginners
• Hardpack Skis
• Mirrorless Cameras
• Full-Frame Cameras
• DSLR Cameras
• Point-and-Shoot Cameras
• Travel Cameras
• DSLR Lenses
• Mirrorless Lenses
• Lofoten Islands
• Lofoten Hiking
• Hardangervidda
• Jotunheimen
• 10 Great Norway Hikes
• Public Huts
• Torres del Paine
• Chalten and Glaciares
• Lake District
• Patagonia National Park
• Milford Sound
• Abel Tasman
• Marlborough
• Great Walks
• Adventure Towns

Add adventure to your inbox

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

© 2024 Switchback Travel. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Travelers cope with crowds and high prices on the busiest day of Memorial Day weekend

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed the next few days as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend getaways and then return home.

Airports around the country are bracing for the travel rush as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend. AAA predicts 43.8 million people expected to travel between Thursday and Monday. (AP Video: Tassanee Vejpongsa)

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed this weekend, as Americans head out on Memorial Day weekend getaways. AAA says this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years.

Travelers on Florida’s Turnpike are experiencing relatively light traffic at the start of the Memorial Day weekend, with no major congestion reported, allowing them to focus on their wallets instead of their anxiety about traffic. (AP video by Cody Jackson)

Travelers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport Friday, May 24, 2024, in Salt Lake City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

• Copy Link copied

Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Michelle Winters plays the violin as passengers stand in line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Cars drive through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Gasoline prices are displayed on a sign outside a service station as the Memorial Day holiday travel period kicks off Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Greenwood Village, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Traffic slowly moves along Interstate 405 on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. Highways and airports are likely to be jammed in the coming days as Americans head out on and home from Memorial Day weekend getaways. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Travelers contended with big crowds and flight delays Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day of the Memorial Day weekend.

More than 6,000 U.S. flights were delayed by early evening on the East Coast, continuing a trend that has tested the patience of travelers all week. Cancellations were more modest, at slightly more than 200, according to tracking data from FlightAware.

There were delays on the highways, too.

Along Florida’s Turnpike, Wallis Tinnie said a traffic accident and road work slowed her drive to an African American history commemoration in the Florida Panhandle, the site in 1816 of the first battle of the Seminole Wars.

“But we’re comfortable with it,” the Miami woman said during a stop at Port Saint Lucie. “We left early, and our event is tomorrow. So hopefully — God willing, creek don’t rise — we’ll be there in plenty of time.”

The Transportation Security Administration predicted that Friday would be the busiest day of the holiday weekend for air travel, with nearly 3 million people expected to pass through airport checkpoints . TSA screened just under 2.9 million people Thursday, coming within about 11,000 of breaking the record set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.

Pasha Pidlubniak waits for a domestic flight at Miami International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Miami. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“Airports are going to be more packed than we have seen in 20 years,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said.

Highways also are likely to be jammed as motorists head out of town and then return home. AAA predicted this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years, with 43.8 million people expected to roam at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday — 38 million of them taking vehicles.

The annual expression of wanderlust that accompanies the start of the summer travel season is happening at a time when Americans tell pollsters they are worried about the economy and the direction of the country.

“Memorial Day is a holiday weekend. I get to hang with family and friends, so I’d say that’s priceless, right?” Nene Efebo said during a two-hour wait for a delayed flight at Denver International Airport. “Anything to hang out with family and friends.”

Victoria Ramos Valdes of Miami was taking a driving vacation with her husband, Blake, and their children, ages 3 and 4 months old.

“We said, hey, we’re going to go for a $300 budget, and the hotel is around $150,” she said, but it has a water slide, providing plenty of entertainment. “We’re taking a nice family trip and doing our best to have the best Memorial Day weekend possible.”

Some travelers reported experiencing sticker shock when they booked their trips. Upon arriving at Philadelphia International Airport, Ciarra Marsh said the city “was not our original destination, but we chose here because it was cheaper.”

At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Larisa Latimer of New Lenox, Illinois, said her airfare was reasonable but other expenses for a getaway to New Orleans were not.

Motorists travel along Interstate 24 near the Interstate 40 interchange Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to hit the pavement over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

“I just have to make the accommodation,” she said. “The rental car is up ... this year, the hotel accommodations were very unusually expensive.”

Kathy Larko of Fort Myers, Florida, used frequent-flyer miles — and some flexible scheduling — to pay for her trip to Chicago.

Travelers wait at a TSA checkpoint at the Los Angeles International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

“I’m really conscious of looking at the cost of the entire trip. We’re staying a little farther out than we normally would” to get a lower hotel rate, she said. “We’re also flying back a day later, because we could get cheaper miles.”

The weekend’s highway traffic and crowded airports could be a sample of what is to come for several more weeks. U.S. airlines expect to carry a record number of passengers this summer. Their trade group estimates that 271 million travelers will fly between June 1 and August 31, breaking the record of 255 million set – you guessed it – last summer .

George Ridley, 4, left, rides on a suitcase as he and his father Chris Ridley make their way through the Nashville international Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

This story was previously updated to correct the spelling Fort Myers, Florida.

Cody Jackson in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago and Shelley Adler in Washington contributed to this report.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Travel Products
• Family Travel

The 8 Best Travel Cribs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested 19 travel cribs to find which one is the best for portability and safety.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Testing Process

• Others We Liked
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Whether you have a family trip coming up, need something for the occasional overnight visit, or are shopping for a baby registry, a good travel crib is essential. Sometimes called playards, these foldable contraptions offer a secure place for your child to sleep or play when you're on the go.

According to neonatologist Michael H. Goodstein, MD, FAAP, they're "a safe alternative to a crib, as long as the product is consistent with the mandatory guidelines established by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission)." But, beyond safety considerations, not all portable cribs are created equal.

Travel cribs vary by size, weight, features, and functionality. We tested 19 models to narrow it down to the most user-friendly, portable, durable, and easy-to-clean options. (See more about our in-depth testing process below.) Our number one pick is the Maxi-Cosi Swift Play Yard, a sturdy, stain-resistant travel crib that takes less than two minutes to pack up.

Best Overall

Maxi-cosi swift play yard.

• Ease of Setup 4.8 /5
• Durability 5 /5
• Portability 4.5 /5
• Quality 5 /5

With an adjustable mattress and easy folding mechanism, this sturdy crib grows with your child and can be taken on any excursion.

It's not the lightest option we tested.

Clocking nearly perfect scores in all our tests, our top choice is the Maxi-Cosi Swift Play Yard. Even after six months of use, we loved how lightweight this portable crib is, making it super easy to set up and take down. Though the leg-folding mechanism is a little different than most models, we assembled it in less than three minutes and packed it back up in under two. It also has all the comfort and safety features we'd want in this type of product. The mattress lays flat on its own, you don't need to hook Velcro straps to keep it down, which is great for saving set-up time. The supportive yet bouncy design barely budged when we dropped a 25-pound sandbag on top, and the frame held strong too.

We're also big fans of the bassinet feature. For newborns and infants, you can detach the mattress from the bottom and raise it up for easier access to your baby. Then, when your child grows, lower it back down to prevent them from climbing out.

At 18 pounds, this travel crib is on the heavier side. However, it seems durable and long-lasting. The high-quality materials appear stain-resistant. All things considered, we think the price is right on point.

The Details: 41.5 x 33.5 x 31 inches (overall) | 33 x 11 x 12 inches (packed) | 18 pounds | 35-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Munchkin travel bassinet.

• Ease of Setup 5 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5
• Quality 4.5 /5

This lightweight, compact sleeper is incredibly easy to set up and pack up, a perfect option for traveling with newborns.

It doesn't come with a carry bag, and the weight capacity is 15 pounds.

On a budget? Check out the Munchkin Brica Travel Pod. This on-the-go sleeper can be set up in one minute and packs back up in less than 30 seconds. At just three pounds, we were also impressed with the lightweight design. When it folds down, it's super small and doesn't take up a lot of space even though it doesn't come with a carry bag. The lightweight, compact design is undoubtedly convenient, but bear in mind the capacity is 15 pounds. In other words, you'll need something bigger once your child is about 6 months old.

The Details: 30 x 21 x 12 inches (overall) | 3 pounds | 15-pound weight limit

Best Splurge

Uppababy remi portable playard.

Buy Buy Baby

• Portability 5 /5

This durable, splurge-worthy crib is super easy to assemble and packs into a conveniently compact bundle.

It's somewhat heavy (but super sturdy), and the carry bag is sold separately.

If you're open to splurging on a high-quality travel crib, UppaBaby won't disappoint. It's incredibly easy to set up, you just pull it out of the box and snap it into place. When folding it back up, the frame wraps into the mattress to create a conveniently compact bundle. After six months of use, we found it to be a great option to even leave up as an extra home crib.

We also appreciate the safety features, including padded edges, hidden zippers, and an elevated bassinet attachment. It's also pretty light and portable. So, while the price is steep (and you'll have to buy the carry bag separately), in the end, we think it's worth the investment for its durability and overall features.

The Details: 40.5 x 28.5 x 26 inches (overall) | 28.5 x 11 x 10 inches (packed) | 22.5 pounds | 20-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Compact

Kidco peapod plus.

• Durability 4 /5

The ultra-lightweight, compact design is easy to take on the go and folds up into its carry bag in seconds.

It's not recommended for children under 6 months and the bottom of the crib is made of fabric that can be slippery.

For something more compact, consider the KidCo PeaPod Plus. We were able to set up this sleeper and fold it back down in almost no time. The ultra-lightweight design folds effortlessly into its included bag, and the carry straps make it easy to take on the go.

The tent-like design can be used indoors or for outdoor naps in your backyard, on the beach, or on family camping trips . While it's not the most structured, it holds its shape enough to provide a safe sleeping spot for a small child. Despite the compact size, bear in mind it's designed for kiddos between 6 months and 5 years.

The Details: 46 x 34 x 22 inches (overall) | 19 x 19 x 3.5 inches (packed) | 3.5 pounds | 100-pound weight limit

TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

Best Lightweight

Chicco lullago anywhere portable bassinet.

• Value 4.5 /5

This remarkably lightweight-yet-sturdy bassinet is easy to set up, move from room to room, and bring on the go.

The maximum weight is 20 pounds, and it doesn't come with a carrying case.

We were able to assemble and fold up the Chicco LullaGo in under a minute. This travel bassinet is remarkably lightweight yet still sturdy. After six months of use, it's holding up well and is a great option with a minimalist design. Though we wish it came with a carrying case, it's easy to move from room to room or bring on the go. We also like that all the covers are conveniently machine-washable.

Dr. Goodstein warns against using this product past the newborn stage, as the elevated platform isn't designed for larger infants. "When the babies are too old, they can fall out of it," he says. "It's just not safe."

The Details: 30 x 28 x 18 inches (overall) | 28 x 18.5 x 5.5 inches (packed) | 12 pounds | 20-pound weight limit

Best Playard

Chicco alfa lite lightweight travel playard.

This playard boasts easy setup, a sturdy design, and various safety features to keep your kiddo secure during naps or playtime.

It doesn't fold down as small as other options we tested.

The Chicco Alfa Lite can be assembled in three minutes and folded back up in less than 60 seconds. Thanks to the helpful 'push' buttons and intuitive design, you don't even need to consult the instructions for set-up and take down. Though the legs fold out with ease, the frame also feels sturdy, like it'll hold up well over time.

Designed for on-the-go sleeping or safe, secure playing, this playard has lockable side zippers and a mattress that buckles to the base. You can also unzip the side to let your child climb in and out during playtime. The mattress is a little flimsy, but other than that, we have no complaints. After six months of use, we love that this is even a good option to set up during playdates.

The Details: 43 x 29 x 25 inches (overall) | 21 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches (packed) | 13 pounds | 30-pound weight limit

Best for Car Travel

Baby joy travel crib 2-in-1 playpen.

• Portability 4 /5

This lightweight, ultra-portable crib is a breeze to set up and pack into its carrying case.

The handles are somewhat short, making it hard to avoid dragging it.

The Baby Joy Travel Crib takes a mere three minutes to set up and folds up in a flash. It folds and unfolds easily, kind of like a camp chair. Once you know where the lock button is, the frame is incredibly simple to put together. After six months of regular use, we love that this can be used inside for naps and even outside for contained playtime.

The entire thing seems high-quality, which is impressive, considering the very reasonable price tag. Weighing only 11 pounds, it's one of the lightest options we tried. While we appreciate the included case, the short handles make it hard to avoid dragging it on the ground when carrying it — for shorter folks, at least. This portable crib folds up pretty compactly but is still probably too tall for an overhead bin, which is why we recommend it for family road trips .

The Details: 45.5 x 31 x 27 inches (overall) | 23.5 x 20.5 x 7 inches (packed) | 11 pounds | 33-pound weight limit

Best Stability

4moms breeze go playard.

• Value 3.5 /5
• Quality 4 /5

Set-up is straight forward and quick.

It's on the heavier side.

With less than four minutes to set up and only two minutes to take down, this is one of the easiest travel cribs to use. Once unfolded, you simply drop in the mattress and attach it to the frame using velcro straps to keep it stable and secure. The first time we assembled this crib, we didn't even need to read the manual because it was such an intuitive process.

In addition to its ease of use, this is one of the most sturdy and high-quality of all the travel cribs we tested. The material doesn't shift around at all and the slight suspension and shocks improve safety for any kiddo. We also love that it comes with its own travel case that helps keep the crib compact and organized while on the go. For anyone looking for an entry level travel crib that's simple and sturdy, this is a high-quality and reliable option.

The Details: 43 x 30 x 29 inches (overall) | 23.2 pounds | 30-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Travel + Leisure editors selected 19 travel cribs to try firsthand. We started by timing how long it took to assemble them based on the brand's instructions, noting any hiccups they ran into along the way. After assessing the features and materials, we lifted them up and moved them around the room to see how light and portable they were once assembled.

To evaluate the sturdiness, we shook the frames and dropped a sandbag into the center to see how well they could support a small child standing up or jumping around. Finally, we timed how long it took to fold down the cribs and put them in their carrying cases, noting how heavy they were when packed up. Each model was scored for ease of setup, portability, durability, ease of cleaning, quality, and value, and those with the highest average ratings were selected for this roundup.

Other Travel Cribs We Liked

KidCo Peapod Portable Travel Bed : This tent-style sleeper quickly pops open, and the padded base is a cinch to snap on. While the fabric is somewhat thin, it's super lightweight and easy to carry, too. However, in the end, we just liked the other KidCo model better.

Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Harmony Portable Infant Lounger : We liked the small, lightweight design of this product. But since it's technically a lounger rather than a crib, it's really designed to be a safe place to set your infant down — not necessarily a place to sleep. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician before using it.

Pamo Babe Deluxe Portable Nursery Center : While this crib was incredibly easy to set up, we thought it lacked durability as it had a tendency to collapse as it grew closer to the weight limit.

Tips for Buying a Travel Crib

Put safety first.

Whether for travel or nightly sleep, safety should be a top priority when buying a crib. Per the CPSC's current guidelines , the mattress should be relatively firm to prevent rolling. And you shouldn't add extra padding or bedding until your child is at least 12 months old, as the materials can pose a suffocation risk.

"Get a travel crib that is current from a major brand," says Dr. Goodstein, "and use the mattress that's included." He adds that, aside from a sleep sack, you really don't need anything other than a mattress and a tight-fitting crib sheet.

Know the important features 

Travel cribs come with various features — some for safety and others for comfort or convenience. This may include user-friendly foldability, a carrying case, a firm mattress, padded edges, concealed zippers, or breathable mesh sides.

"Some have a bassinet feature, which is convenient for new mothers (not bending over) and small/younger newborns," says Dr. Goodstein. "With or without, they should be used properly, following the weight, age, and developmental limitations set within the product instructions and warnings."

Consider the type of trip you're taking

When browsing options, consider the type of trip you're taking and where you plan on using the crib. If you're traveling by plane , some (but not all) airlines allow you to check portable cribs for free (along with travel strollers and car seats). But if you're not checking baggage, make sure it's small enough to pass as a carry-on.

Some small travel cribs can be folded up super compactly and even tucked inside a suitcase. But larger options that come with their own carry bags will usually need to be toted around separately. If you just need something for the occasional overnight, you have more flexibility in terms of size.

The main difference between a travel crib and a regular crib is that the former is typically foldable and relatively lightweight. But as long as it has a proper mattress and sides that prevent rolling off, you can use a travel crib as a regular crib.

"The newer ones, for the most part, should be fine," says Dr. Goodstein. "If you're going to use a sheet in there, make sure it's a fitted sheet for that specific type of crib."

Travel crib mattresses are roughly 38 x 24 inches, which is the size of a mini crib mattress. Getting a fitted sheet in the proper size is crucial, as loose fabric can be dangerous for sleeping babies. "These little ones don't have good head [or hand] control — they can't brush something off of their face," explains Dr. Goodstein. "Something as light as a sheet can cause suffocation."

Some travel cribs fit into overhead compartments, but it varies by model. While it's different for each airline, the maximum dimensions for carry-ons is usually 22 x 14 x 9 inches, so be sure to measure the packed-up size before your trip.

While most airlines will check strollers and carseats for free, travel cribs are considered luggage and will be charged as such. Be sure to check with your specific airline in advance to determine what baby gear is complimentary.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a toddler mom and seasoned commerce writer specializing in travel, baby gear, and furniture. For this story, she compiled our in-house testing insights and combed through product specs to create a comprehensive roundup of today's best travel cribs. She is personally familiar with the offerings from UppaBaby, Munchkin, and Chicco.

In creating our list of best travel cribs, we also spoke to an expert in the care of newborns, neonatologist Michael H. Goodstein , MD, FAAP.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Related Articles

Donald Trump was convicted on felony charges. Will he go to prison?

A New York jury's historic conviction of Donald Trump on felony charges means his fate is now in the hands of the judge he has repeatedly ripped as "corrupt" and "incompetent."

Two experts told NBC News that it's unlikely Trump will be imprisoned based on his age, lack of a criminal record and other factors — and an analysis of thousands of cases found that very few people charged with the same crime receive jail time. But a third expert told NBC News he believes it is "substantially" likely Trump could end up behind bars.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records , a class E felony that is punishable by a fine, probation or up to four years in prison per count. During the trial, Judge Juan Merchan threatened to put Trump behind bars for violating his gag order, but it’s unclear whether the former president will face similar consequences now. It's expected that any sentence would be imposed concurrently, instead of consecutively.

Former federal prosecutor Chuck Rosenberg, an NBC News analyst, said it's unlikely that Merchan would sentence Trump, 77, to any jail time, given his age and his status as a first-time, nonviolent offender. "I’d be very surprised if there's any sentence of incarceration at all," Rosenberg said. “Of course, he did spend a good bit of time insulting the judge who has the authority to incarcerate him.”

The next step for Trump at this point is his sentencing, which is set for July 11. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would not comment Thursday on what type of sentence he’d seek, saying his office would do its speaking in court papers in the weeks ahead.

Arthur Aidala, a former prosecutor in the Brooklyn district attorney's office who's now a defense lawyer, said the judge will most likely use some of the time before sentencing to research similar cases to determine what the median sentence is.

"He wants to know before he sentences someone what the typical sentence is," Aidala said, and would consider other factors, like Trump's age and lack of a criminal record, while also taking into account the lack of injury caused by the crime. Aidala said he believes whatever punishment Merchan comes up with would be "a non-jail disposition."

An analysis conducted by Norm Eisen, who worked for House Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment, found that roughly 1 in 10 people who have been convicted of falsifying business records are imprisoned and that those cases typically involved other crimes.

Ron Kuby, a veteran New York criminal defense lawyer, took a different view.

“Judge Merchan is known for being a harsh sentencer when it comes to white-collar crimes committed by people who have wealth and privilege and power,” he said.

Kuby added he believes "it is substantially likely Judge Merchan will sentence Trump to jail or prison time," despite the logistical and practical complications that locking up a person with Secret Service protection would entail.

Kuby said that's because the criminal scheme went on for over a year and included a number of bad acts on Trump's part.

“It’s an entire course of conduct he was involved with — not just one bad decision,” he said.

Trump, however, most likely doesn't have to worry about missing the Republican National Convention, where he's expected to accept the party's nomination, even though it's taking place just days after his sentencing. Kuby said he'd most likely be able to remain free while he appeals the conviction.

Trump's behavior during the trial, including his flouting Merchan's gag order by making comments about witnesses and the jury, isn't likely to be a factor in the sentencing decision, Kuby said. It's also highly unlikely that comments that appeared to be aimed at sidestepping the gag order by Republican officials who attended the trial as Trump's guests will figure into Merchan's reasoning, Kuby added.

"If the judge is smart, he'd stay away from that," Kuby said. "The best way for judges not to get reversed in a sentencing is to stick to the facts and circumstances of the crimes and conviction."

Rosenberg said that despite Trump’s frequent criticisms of Merchan, which he likened to “a batter who’s been yelling at the umpire from before the first pitch,” Merchan appeared to run “a clean and fair trial.”

Rosenberg and Kuby agreed that Trump would appeal the verdict. Kuby said that could delay Trump's serving whatever punishment Merchan doles out for years, even if the appeal is ultimately unsuccessful.

His first appeal will be to the state Appellate Division, a midlevel appeals court, and it will almost certainly not decide the appeal until after the November election, Kuby said. If he loses there, he could then appeal to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals. A loss there would be followed by a request to the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

If all that fails, Kuby said, he could then try turning to federal court in another attempt to eventually get the case before the Supreme Court.

The appeals process typically takes a long time — Kuby said he had one client who staved off prison time for six years — but there's another potential complicating factor in this case.

"If he becomes president of the United States, he cannot be incarcerated in a state prison" while he's in office, Kuby said, because it could prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional duties. If he lost his appeals, "by the time he leaves office — if he leaves office — he'd be ready to be incarcerated," he said.

Dareh Gregorian is a politics reporter for NBC News.

Adam Reiss is a reporter and producer for NBC and MSNBC.

My Review of the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, After Three Years of Testing

Plus, insights from our Kitchen Appliances Lab experts.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Cooking performance

How we tested, the bottom line: should you buy a breville smart oven air fryer pro, why trust good housekeeping.

Countertop real estate is a hot commodity in most kitchens, so whenever an appliance claims it can do double duty, it has my attention, especially as a New Yorker and food editor who works with a lot of appliances.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

I work in the Test Kitchen at Good Housekeeping, and I have been using the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro at home for more than three years after receiving it as a gift from my wedding registry . I find myself using this appliance five times a week at least . I even moved my microwave to the basement because I basically stopped using it altogether (reheated leftovers taste way better when warmed in a toaster oven vs. nuked, in my opinion).

Suffice to say that the Breville air fryer toaster oven has earned its place in my kitchen, so I had to check in with Nicole Papantoniou , director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and her team to hear their thoughts, which are backed by thorough testing. Good news: They recommend it too!

In the Lab, Nicole and her team of analysts and product experts evaluate all types of kitchen appliances to find the best: air fryers , toaster ovens , air fryer toaster ovens , you name it. Over the past few years, these experts have put over 40 air fryers, 40 toaster ovens and 20 air fryer toaster ovens to the test — including the Breville Smart Oven Pro , the Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro and the Breville Compact Smart Oven .

Over the years, our Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances Lab evaluated a few different kitchen appliances from Breville — including Breville espresso machines — and the brand has earned top spots in our roundups of the best toaster ovens , best air fryer toaster ovens , best indoor pizza ovens and best food processors .

Getting started

In our Lab and consumer tests, we evaluate overall performance and ease of use. We review user manuals and instruction guides and rank how intuitive the appliance is. Breville had high scores across the board, and consumers agreed it worked as it claimed it would. It was easy to set up and included easy-to-read instructions.

For anyone who skips reading instruction manuals (oh, hi!), you're in luck. The interface is super straightforward, and I found the oven easy to operate without any directions. You turn a knob to toggle between cooking functions, which are clearly displayed on a digital screen. Another knob allows you to control how many slices of toast you have, select the temperature setting or set your timer.

There's even a button you can press if you're starting with something frozen (i.e. frozen waffles). One Lab expert commented that the menus were simple to follow and ideal for people who appreciate having a little more assistance when cooking.

The oven door has markings to show you the ideal rack height for the different cooking methods, so there's no guessing where to place the air fryer basket vs. the oven rack for an optimal cooking experience.

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro offers more than a dozen cooking functions, which is great for anyone who wants the flexibility of using the same appliance to roast a chicken, toast bread and bake a batch of cookies (plus so much more). The Lab experts commented on its versatility, especially in comparison to other brands and models.

To test how evenly toaster ovens heat, the experts in the Kitchen Appliances Lab place slices of white bread side-by-side on one of the racks and measure how quickly and evenly they toast at various settings. Breville products received lower scores for toasting than some other toaster ovens. Toasting took about a minute longer, and the slices of bread weren't the most evenly browned. In my personal testing (read: toasting up a bagel or slice of bread for breakfast), I noticed the variations in darkness, but it hasn't been much of an issue.

Roasting and baking

The roasting and baking functions, however, earned high scores in our Lab testing . We roasted a 4-pound chicken and were pleased with the results: juicy, with crispy skin.

We used the included pizza pan and pizza function to cook a frozen pizza and were impressed with the golden crust and evenly browned cheese. Our cake-baking test produced pleasant results, as well.

At home, I often use this appliance instead of my oven. I'm usually cooking for two , and this countertop oven heats up more quickly than my full-size oven and doesn't make my whole kitchen hot. (Win-win) I love throwing one or two cookies in and using the bake function for a sweet post-dinner treat.

When compared with other air fryer models, including air fryer toaster ovens and especially basket-style air fryers , we found that others scored higher during Lab testing. The Breville air fryer toaster ovens didn't make wings and frozen fries as crispy as others. I find that the appliance gets smoky if I air-fry anything oily or greasy — like marinated foods or chicken wings.

Smoking and steam were also flagged by our Lab and our consumer testers . Nicole points out that this air fryer toaster oven doesn't have a tray under the air fryer basket, so oil and fat drip onto the exposed heat source on the bottom. I air-fried bacon once and immediately regretted it.

While I love using the Breville air fryer function to make crispy air fryer tofu and have found success with recipes that call for air-frying something in a ramekin, like peanut butter molten chocolate cakes , I still lean on my basket-style air fryer more often for air frying. I find it more convenient since I don't need to find a potholder to shake the food halfway through and can easily pop the basket into the dishwasher afterward.

Measuring 17.5 inches x 21.5 inches x 12.7 inches, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is definitely larger than other air fryer toaster ovens out there. This introduces its own sets of pros and cons. If you don't have a ton of space, the size may very well be a deal breaker.

If you do have the space, though, this size offers a few benefits:

• Its large capacity means that you can cook a decent amount of food at once — our Lab experts were able to fit up to nine slices of toast! This provides a good option for larger families or someone who likes batch cooking.
• I found that the larger size makes this appliance an even better alternative to a conventional oven. Most quarter sheet pans will fit, as well as many cake pans and square baking pans , so you don't have to buy anything special (a huge perk, in my opinion!).

In our Lab tests, we found that cleaning the included air fryer basket was a bit tricky, but many of the included trays cleaned easily. I, personally, found that when anything drips onto the heating elements (especially during air-frying), it is pretty hard to clean. Otherwise, the crumb tray is easy to remove, scrub in the sink and replace. And wiping the appliance with a wet cloth was simple.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, the experts perform tests to evaluate how well an air-fry toaster oven can air-fry, bake, broil and toast.

To rate each model, we:

• cook chicken wings to see how quickly and evenly they crisp up
• toast dozens of slices of bread at different settings to evaluate evenness of browning and timing
• air-fry frozen French fries to assess goldenness, crispness and moistness
• make frozen pizza to see how evenly the cheese melts and whether the crust is done
• bake a cake to see how evenly it cooks
• broil steak to gauge the strength and efficacy of the broiling function

Over the past few years, I have used the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro in my home kitchen an estimated five times per week. I have toasted hundreds of slices of bread, as well as dozens of bagels and frozen waffles. I experimented with a variety of air fryer recipes ranging from meatloaf, fish and tofu to air-fryer eggplant Parmesan, crispy chickpeas and fajitas.

I have also broiled pizza bagels and open-faced cheese sandwiches, baked chocolate chip cookies, dehydrated apple slices and reheated countless leftovers (sesame chicken, grain bowls, slices of pizza, you name it).

If you have the counter space and want a multitasking toaster oven that can handle a variety of culinary tasks, we say yes. One consumer tester said, "I would buy this all day long!"If you don't have a ton of room, we recommend opting for a smaller model, like the Breville Compact Smart Oven .

Looking for something more high-tech? The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro offers a more connected experience, allowing you to sync the appliance with an app, and it performed well in our Lab tests.

For anyone who prioritizes air-frying and doesn't toast, bake or roast often, we suggest opting for a basket-style air fryer, like the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL , which produced crispy and evenly cooked chicken wings in our Lab tests and proved easy to clean.

Trish Clasen Marsanico is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping. She works closely with the recipe developers and testers in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. She has over a decade of experience producing food content for magazines, websites, cooking apps and cookbooks — including Good Housekeeping's Air Fryer Magic cookbook .

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Kitchen Appliances Lab, where she has overseen all testing and content related to cooking products, including toaster ovens and air fryers, for more than five years. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and has answered many GH readers' questions about air frying over the years (e.g. how does an air fryer actually work? ).

Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping , where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health , Prevention , Redbook , Woman’s Day , The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal .

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

The Best Recliner Sofas

The Best Portable Car Seats

12 Best Underwear for Women of 2024

The Best Grill Cleaners

The Best Luggage on Amazon

Best Hard Shell Luggage in 2024

The Best Baby Foods

The Best Protein Bars

The Best Mattresses Under $500

The Best Tinted Moisturizers

The Most Comfortable Shoes

Suggested companies

Transitours, grandvoyage.com.

Travel2Be   Reviews

In the Flights Search Site category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 1.4.

5,451 total

Most relevant

Need help urgently!

Need help urgently! The airline website says the airline booking code can't match with my email address and my name and there is no record in their system. While the e-ticket Travel2be send me seems fine but I can't check in with my own name and booking reference number. Someone Please Help Me!

Date of experience : November 29, 2022

Reply from Travel2Be

黄裔童 Thank you for sharing your experience with us and providing us with the details of your reservation. One of our agents will review your case and contact you to provide all the information to the email indicated during the purchase process. Best regards

Refund not possible due to malfunction with website

Hello The airline I had booked flights with through your agency cancelled my outbound flight. I was forced to book another flight, and I need to contact Travel2Be in order to get my previous flight refunded (according to Icelandair). Unfortunately, your website does not allow me to do this, as the "Claim" link you send to me when contacting customer.service(@)travelgenio.com has a malfunction (not able to press the "Send" button) so I am asking you to either fix this button issue, or contact me directly through email. My booking reference number is 22079481, so please get back to me

Date of experience : December 22, 2022

Refund request well over a year old now. Give me back my money!!

I cancelled my flight in september 2021, and requested a refund. 'My trips' request never went past 'processing', after waiting months as suggested. I managed to find a customer service email address in August (buried in the internet), who confirmed my request to a refund. Months and months later, I am still waiting for an update request to my refund. This is robbery Extra info: Ticket #5380603 / refund case ID #19073458

Date of experience : August 03, 2022

Dear customer, Thanks for your reply. We are sorry that your experience was not as you hoped. Satisfying our customers is our main goal, so we will review your case and get back to you as soon as possible. Regards

The worst agency

I bought a ticket and sent an e-mail to change the date or refund it, and I tried to change it on the website, but the mail I reserved didn't work. I've never seen a travel agency so out of touch. And no details are written on the document. Regarding refund regulations or reservation changes. The worst agency. I never make a reservation here again. I spent wasting my time and money.

Date of experience : January 20, 2023

It was really daunting to see all the…

It was really daunting to see all the reviews and ratings here for Travel2be, but I still went ahead with my booking - relying on the fewer good and positive ratings. Alhamdolilah, I had absolutely no issue with my journey - flight, luggage or seats. It was similar to as if I’d booked directly with Airlines. The only glitch happened when I went to process payment, the website shows you one amount but as soon as you proceed to payment portal it gives this message that the fares have changed. It didn’t happen once or twice, as before actually booking it I went to it on different instances and different times and at each time it does the same. So, it looked like a trick to make fares attractive and then end up charging more than what was initially shown (although that price was still less than other sites so I went ahead)

Date of experience : December 15, 2022

DID NOT RECEIVE THE E-TICKET THAT WE BOOKED ONLINE

We didn’t receive the ticket that we book through online the reference number is 21524785 and the airline booking code is R3ZDYP we are worried coz my bf wil be travelling on 1st of August and he don't have the e-ticket with him even on spam we couldn't find nothing.This is our hard earned money so please make your service good! I am always booking my tickets online but this it the first time that after the payment i didn’t receive the ticket! My boyfriend is sending you an email your urgent response to this matters is urgently needed. Improve your customer service also you got loads of bad comments that it makes us worried if this is scam or not. Your response is highly appreciated with this matter.!!! I will update here if this issue will be solve or not. UPDATE: WE GOT THE E-TICKET AND WE CONFIRMED IT TO ETIHAD ALSO

Date of experience : July 28, 2022

Dear Customer, Thank you for the review. In reply to your request, we would like to inform you that your booking is confirmed and we have sent you the confirmation email with all the details of your trip. If you haven’t received it, please check your “spam” folder or contact us again by replying to this review. Kind regards,

Excellent service

I just chose Travel2be without reading the reviews, and it turned out great! It was the cheapest option at the time. Just that, they did asked me for my details again and again through email even after I already filled them up. Either way, it turned out well. My flight with Singapore Airlines was booked properly and nothing was amiss. Both Travel2Be and Singapore Airlines sent me reminders for check-in and boarding passes. I missed my flight on 2nd Jan at Heathrow Airport. The staff immediately booked another flight in the same day without any fee or penalty. Overall, the service was real good. Highly recommended.

Hello The airline has changed the departure time so that I want to cancel my ticket and get a refund. Unfortunately, your website does not allow me to do this, so I am asking you to refund my ticket price. Airline send me back to them Travel2be because the ticket is booked through them. Button Departure change by airline refund on your website does not work Departure change by airline !!!!!!!!! furthermore, they write that an action by me is required but I can't do anything about it their button doesn't work !!!!

Date of experience : December 16, 2022

Worst Travel Agency I have been with

Worst Travel Agency I have been with. Flight got cancelled 7 Weeks ago and even though I provided every information and flight number of the new wanted flight shortly afterwards I never recieved any answer. And now two days to the flight date I still have not recieved an decent alternative flight.

Date of experience : August 15, 2022

Marcel, we are sorry that your experience was not as you hoped. Satisfying our customers is our main goal, so we will review your case and get back to you as soon as possible to the email address indicated during the purchase process. Regards

Very poor service

Very poor service, first time I used this company and never again will I be using them again. After cancelling my flight, they informed me they will issue me a refund and after waiting several weeks, they have done nothing but ignore my emails. To this day I still haven’t received my refund.

Date of experience : December 06, 2022

Hello, We bought a ticket with the Bogota - Sao Paulo route, Sao Paulo - Asuncion, Asuncion - Lima and Lima - Bogota with the right to a 23kg suitcase, a 10kg carry-on suitcase and a personal item by LATAM for each route they made an involuntary change and now no one responds Because the flight from Sao Paulo - Bogota was left without suitcases, only with the personal item, it seems unheard of to me, I have tried to communicate and they never answer. Appalling

Date of experience : December 01, 2022

I booked a ticket from travel2be in…

I booked a ticket from travel2be in 2022 for travel in Aug 2022. The travel was cancelled by travel2be because connecting flights were changed and they couldnt find the appropriate connection. I have requested refund since Aug 2022 and yet to receive any refund. Sent several email with no reply from travel2be. Worst customer service and money theft.

Date of experience : August 02, 2022

Over charging

So I entered the offer through the KAYAK website and the price that appeared made me want to buy the flight ticket. After I filled in the details and paid, it turns out that you charged me an additional $350!!! I will consult with all the relevant parties and if necessary I will sue you. After coming across quite a few posts here, and other sites, it turns out I'm not the only one who fell victim. I want to cancel the flight and get a full refund as soon as possible!

Date of experience : August 22, 2022

Dear customer, Thank you for sharing your experience with us and providing your booking details. One of our agents is going to have a look at your case and come back to you with further details. Thanks

Travel to be is a scam

Travel to be is a scam. My booking with them with Thai airways got cancelled and i requested for a refund and they did not process it till now. It was two years already. What a shame They said they are waiting for the airline authorization but to no avail i received nothing. I ask for my refund to be converted to a voucher but the denied it because their bad customer service hotline cannot process it because i primarily request for a refund. But common two years already.

Date of experience : September 30, 2021

Dear customer, We have been informed that our colleagues have contacted you about your query. All the information has been sent by e-mail to the same address you indicated in the purchase process. We kindly ask you to follow up your query with them through the e-mail thread #5567291: TRAVEL2BE /// Booking 17626884 /// Refund Authorised. Thanks and regards

those guys can't send me a receipt for…

those guys can't send me a receipt for the ticket for 1.5 months already. Additionally, there is no information on the price for what I bought the tickets. I need the receipt to get the reimbursement. No help from those guys whatsoever. Do not use this service, it's bad Open support tickets for the referance: [Ticket #5618844] [Ticket #5570669][Ticket #5665705]

Date of experience : September 21, 2022

Dear customer, we are sorry that your experience was not as you hoped. Satisfying our customers is our main goal, so we will review your case and get back to you as soon as possible. Regards

No way of obtaining an invoice of booking

I need an invoice in order to get compensation from my workplace, but it's nowhere to be found.I tried to contact the company through My trips sections ,but there is no way of communication. My booking ID is 21742023. I need the invoice urgently , or i will lose my compensation.

Date of experience : September 08, 2022

Dear customer, Thank you for sharing your experience with us and providing your booking details. One of our agents is going to have a look at your case and come back to you with further details. Should you have any further requests, you can follow up by e-mail with our colleagues from Advanced Customer Support team. Thanks

This is regarding their reply to…

This is regarding their reply to contact customer service .. just want to add that the ID. 21419809 they refused to refund the cash while charged me addition for the ticket.. Now I have requsted to change the ticket date at least and waiting for the reply .. wish if I can rate them -10000 as cheaters and has no respect to people money and condition.

Date of experience : August 17, 2022

Thank you Rahimah for your comment. Please send an e-mail to [email protected], from the e-mail address you used to make the reservation and indicating the Booking ID in the subject (8-digit code that appears in the confirmation e-mail), and you will receive instructions to contact one of our specialised agents.

Behandlar sina kunder som sk*t!

Mitt flyg med Emirates Airlines blev kansellerat i december 2021. Jag ringde upprepade gånger till kundservice för att boka om flygbiljetten med ett annat flygbolag men fick aldrig något svar eller hjälp. Jag har fortfarande inte hört något och pengarna som jag vill ha återbetalt har jag inte fått tillbaka än. Otroligt dålig service, kommer aldrig att boka genom Travel2Be igen, väldigt oprofessionella och behandlar sina kunder som sk*t! Mitt reservationsnummer är 19540079 Reply to your answer: My booking number is 19540079 and my full name is Bruno Ikechukwu Ikenga. My flight was from Frankfurt with stopover in Dubai and destination Lagos with Emirates Airlines. Due to Nigerian government suspending Emirates from operating to Lagos the flight was cancelled. I would like to change my flight departing from Oslo to Lagos anytime from ending of November/beginning of December. If this is not possible please refund me the money. Please contact me as soon as you can.

Date of experience : August 27, 2022

I have booked a flexible ticket for a…

I have booked a flexible ticket for a round trip from Montreal to Visakhapatnam. I am trying to reschedule my return trip but am not able to make any change from Mytrips section. Even worse i am now logged out of my account and they deny any ticket being linked to my email address. I even tried contacting through email and still no luck. It would be great if this got sorted out

Date of experience : January 11, 2023

Need Help Urgently for upcoming trip

Our trip is scheduled on 28th Dec and have received the tickets from Travel2Be but when I checked with Malaysia airlines, they are saying the booking is not valid and its in past date. Now I am not able to get hold of the customer service number 0388205781 and there is no email id to email to. Somebody please help! Even the Mytrip data shows tickets date as invalid. Booking code with Travel2Be: 19157822

Date of experience : December 12, 2022

How it works

Cons to consider.

• Alternatives

The bottom line

Travel berkey water filter system review: it's an investment, but my water has never tasted better.

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

For as long as I've lived in apartment buildings with older plumbing, I've relied on a water filter to make my tap water more palatable. My first choice was one of the best water filter pitchers , as it seemed easy to maintain and a cost-effective alternative to buying bottled water. I dabbled with a filter attached directly to the faucet and even a water delivery service when my husband and my hydration needs outgrew our filter's capacity.

While getting water delivered might make sense in a home with space to store multiple 5-gallon jugs, I longed for a water filtration system that didn't make us dependent on a subscription service. Enter the Berkey, a freestanding, gravity-fed filter that promises clean drinking water anytime, anywhere you have access to water. 

The stand-alone water filtration system uses gravity and activated charcoal filters to remove contaminants and store potable water in the 1.5-gallon lower chamber.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Effective filtration for great tasting water
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't require electricity
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Filters last to 6,000 gallons each
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can be placed anywhere
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very industrial in appearance
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Replacement filters can be costly

All Berkey systems are built similarly: a lidded stainless steel chamber with two filters sits on top of another stainless steel receptacle with a plastic spigot. I own the Travel Berkey, which measures 7.5 inches in diameter and 18 inches tall, large enough to hold 1.5 gallons of filtered water at a time. If you have the counter clearance, you can set the Berkey on the edge of your sink. There's also a wire stand to keep the filter system higher off the countertop if you prefer. 

The Travel version is a bit of a misnomer. It's not lightweight, but it is perfect for a household of one to three people. The Berkey comes with two Black Berkey Elements, filters made of a "carbon composite containing high-grade coconut shell carbon combined with a proprietary blend of 5 other types of media", according to Berkey. Essentially, it's activated charcoal and then some. Larger models can run on two filters with space to fit eight filters for quicker filtration and an option for additional fluoride filters.

The filters allow for microfiltration, absorption, and adsorption. Berkey's microfiltration uses six different media types to create tiny holes that physical pollutants — think dust, sediment, bacteria, and parasites — cannot pass through. Then, heavy metals like chromium, lead, and copper are removed from water through an ion exchange. Lastly, adsorption creates a barrier between the filters' micropores to block additional contaminants, resulting in potable water. Berkey's website has a full list of contaminants the filters target and more documentation of the testing that garnered these results.

The initial setup takes a little time. You have to prime the filters by soaking them, then test them with red dye to make sure they're working correctly. Once you finish setting up, one of the biggest pluses of this type of filter is that it works anywhere and doesn't require electricity. This was a big selling point for my "always be prepared" husband, who loves that we could be stocked with drinking water even in an emergency.

The main issue for many is the initial cost: the smallest Berkey system will set you back around $330, with the largest system price at $478. In comparison, a Brita filter pitcher starts at $20. Replacement filters aren't cheap either, averaging about $140 for a set of two. The upside is that the filters are good up until around 6,000 gallons, which averages anywhere from two to six years, depending on your water consumption. 

Another consideration is that the Berkey needs time to process unfiltered water. With a flow rate of 2.75 gallons per hour, you'll want to ensure that you're refilling the Berkey as fast as you tap it. If you need a lot of filtered water at once and empty the bottom chamber, it will take a while to replenish.

What are your alternatives?

When we had a smaller apartment, I relied heavily on the Aquasana Clean Water Machine . This countertop model is about the size of a Nespresso or Keurig machine and forces water through an internal filter which results in quick filtration. It does require electricity and can be a bit noisy. If you like the idea of a Berkey but find it too industrial, the newly launched Boroux Legacy is an elegant option. It's currently only available in a 3-gallon size, but it is also a lot less expensive than the same size Berkey.

The Berkey systems are tried-and-true — I've been using the Travel Berkey at home for nearly two years now with no issues. It requires no electricity and can be placed anywhere in your home. While the upfront costs might seem high, this filtration system has already saved me countless dollars on buying bottled water, and it will be at least another year or two before we need to replace its filters.   

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

• Main content

Close Search

Transparency Disclosure — We may receive a referral fee for products purchased through the links on our site… Read More .

Best Folding Mattresses (2024)- Perfect for Guests

Last Updated on May 23, 2024

Written by Jill Zwarensteyn

Written by Jill Zwarensteyn, Editor

Our testing process.

Here at Sleep Advisor, our Sleep Certified experts use a refined mattress and product testing process to give you unbiased product suggestions… Read our full product review process .

.st0{clip-path:url(#SVGID_00000046340743257271907690000000964648354283835324_);} In This Article

Looking for a versatile and portable mattress but need more support than an air mattress? Take a look at our picks for the top foldable mattresses.

Folding mattresses are quickly taking over the market as the go-to storable bedding for travel, entertaining, and camping. Most of them are easy to store and carry, but you’ll want to make sure that the one you own is as cozy to sleep on as it is convenient.

We’ve selected some of the best folding mattresses out there for our list of recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a tri-fold bed that tucks neatly into a kid’s room or something for adult guests, there’s a folding mattress on this list for you.

Best Folding Mattress: Our Top Picks

Airweave futon – editor’s choice.

• Cushy Foam – Travel
• Millard – Travel
• Best Choice Products – Children’s Room
• Best Price Mattress – Guests
• Cozzi – Guests

The 6 Best Folding Mattresses

Airweave Futon

A firm but versatile folding mattress, the airweave Futon should hold up for years.

Sleep Advisor Score

The airweave Futon might have “futon” in its name, but it doesn’t need a frame in order to shine in the comfort department. This folding mattress can be used on the floor, on top of a regular mattress, and anywhere else you have enough space to snooze. It’s made of proprietary airfiber® material, which promotes beathability throughout the mattress and also makes the whole thing washable. 

As the most luxurious item on this list, the airweave Futon should last you for years of use. Its design is both thin and exceptionally firm. If you’re looking for spinal alignment and support in a non-traditional mattress, this painstakingly designed piece will absolutely fit the bill.

Why we love it

• The cover has a warmer and cooler side to correspond with different seasons or temperatures. Simply flip to whichever surface feels best. 
• It’s got carrying handles for easy maneuvering, and you can fold it in more configurations than most other folding mattresses.

Customer Reviews of the Airweave Futon

Customers admire the Airweave Futon for its unique, firm support and breathability, which promotes a cool sleeping environment, but some find its firmness level too hard for comfortable long-term use.

Cushy Form – Great for Travel

Cushy Form Floor Mattress

This foam mattress comes with a handle to meet your travel needs.

This portable and compact option easily folds into a matching zippered tote, making storage easy, convenient, and stylish. Gone are the days of stuffing an air mattress into a tiny case and hoping it won’t rip open. The single/twin bed can be great for kids’ sleepovers or family movie nights since they can easily lay side by side.

The mattress is made of dense polyfoam, making it a firmer choice ideal for stomach sleepers , but it is still ultra-lightweight to transport around.

Why do we love it?

• The product smells like the lavender air freshener that comes in the package.
• The bed’s CertiPUR-US certification means this product is a safer option for families who want to limit exposure to hazardous materials.

Customer Reviews of the Cushy Form

On the Amazon website , this mattress is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers enjoy the Cushy Foam mattress for its comfortable and versatile design, suitable for both sitting and sleeping, but some report that it lacks the durability and support of more traditional mattresses.

Millard – Best for Travel

Milliard Tri-Folding Mattress

Easy portable with supportive memory foam, the Milliard is a great option for sleepers on the go.

Millard’s 6-inch twin memory foam option checks all the boxes. With a 1.5-inch memory foam topper supported by 4.5 inches of polyfoam, this twin should offer enough support to make sleeping on the go comfortable and easy.

Although memory foam is denser than other materials, the Millard fold-up should still store and transport easily, making it a great option for travel and overnight guests.

Why we picked it

• The twin option is very spacious and can cater to taller and heavier users as well.
• This is a great product for camping since the foam insulates sleepers from the cold ground while inside a tent.
• This is a useful item for moms who may want to take the bed into their baby’s nursery so that they can sleep and care for their baby’s needs.

Customer Reviews of the Millard

On the Amazon website , this mattress is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Millard mattress for its versatility and comfort as both a sofa and bed, but some note its cover is not as durable as expected, leading to quicker wear and tear.

Best Choice Products – Best for Children’s Room

Best Choice Products 4in Portable Mattress

With its versatility and washable cover, this folding mattress is a great choice for kids.

While foldable mattresses may be convenient for unexpected overnight guests, they still take up valuable storage space that not everyone can spare. Best Choice Products has solved this issue by creating a product that doubles as a floor sofa, perfect for movies or extra guest seating.

The gray cover is both washable and dryer-friendly, making after-movie cleanup a breeze, especially with its sewn-in handles that make the bed ultra-portable. Made of four inches of dense poly-foam, this option provides medium support, which is best for side and back sleepers and is light enough to be carried anywhere.

Additionally, the bed comes in three size options: twin, full, and queen. This allows shoppers to find the best fit for their space and needs.

What makes it stand out

• This can be a resourceful option for travelers on the road who want to save money on hotels and use this bed instead.

Customer Reviews of the Best Choice Products

On the Amazon website , this mattress is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers like the “Best Choice Products” mattress for its affordability and ease of conversion between sofa and bed, but some find its mattress thinner and less comfortable than more premium options.

Best Price Mattress – Best for Guests

Best Price Mattress Trifold Memory Foam

High density foam and a variety of seizes make this a great choice for all sleepers looking for a great value.

This memory/polyfoam bed is available in nine sizes, ensuring a good fit for the space you have available. With 1.5 inches of memory foam on top of 2.5 inches of high-density foam, all-night comfort and convenient portability can be yours at an excellent price point.

The mattress is shipped with a carrying case with durable handles, allowing ease of transportation, and the Certi-Pur label means this is a safer foam since it’s not made with hazardous materials and produces fewer VOC emissions.

Why it made our list

• Reviewers love the tri-fold design that reduces segment separation, making the creases feel undetectable while sleeping.
• The light-weight material allows these beds to be more transportable, and the smaller sizes should fit easily in closets or beneath box springs.
• Some campers have used the cushions inside their RV for better sleep on the road.

Customer Reviews of the Best Price Mattress

On the Amazon website , this mattress is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the “Best Price Mattress” for its affordability and convenience, but some report that it’s less comfortable and supportive than more expensive futon mattresses.

Cozzi – Great for Guests

Cozzzi Folding Mattress

The Cozzzi’s firm and supportive foam makes it a great alternative to an air mattress when you’re on the go.

This tri-fold mattress is intended for a variety of activities, and customers can expect the material to hold up through it all. Whether you use it for tumbling, sleeping, or as a floor couch, the bed is built for support and durability. Made from high-quality, long-lasting foam, this twin offers four inches of support wrapped in a removable cover that is washer-friendly. Lightweight with carrying handles, users should have no problem transporting or storing the product.

Why did it make our list?

• We love this brand for its ability to keep its shape after long periods of use, making it an excellent travel companion for those constantly on the road.
• The lightweight handles make it convenient to transport around.
• The mattress offers firm support and should not compress or bottom out.
• The design should allow plenty of space for active or taller sleepers.

Customer Reviews of the Cozzi

On the Amazon website , this mattress is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. Customers enjoy the Cozzi for its lightweight, foldable design that is ideal for small spaces, but some find it too thin and firm for comfortable, long-term sleeping.

What is a Foldable Mattress?

A foldable mattress is a lightweight, portable kind of mattress that you can easily fold up and store. They’re more affordable and travel-friendly than traditional mattresses, but they aren’t a substitute for them. Typically, they’re used as a sleeping surface while you’re on the go, whether you’re a guest in someone’s home or on a camping trip. 

Folding mattresses are also often called tri-fold mattresses, because they commonly have three segments that you stack on top of one another when you fold the mattress back up. But some foldable mattresses will have more than three segments, or a different kind of folding design. (A few even fold up to resemble a small couch or loveseat.)

Benefits of a Folding Bed

With how cost-friendly and convenient foldable beds are, the more obvious question is why should you not buy one, but here are a few convincing reasons anyway.

Overall Portability

Many foldable mattresses are made to fit easily under a bed frame for storage, and even have cases or velcro snaps, to keep segments together while not in use. They can unfold to fit in awkward spaces, and if you are short on storage space, some options are multi-functional and can double as a couch, daybed , or even a chair.

Convenient for Guests and Sleepovers

For customers with family and friends visiting from out of town, or children with frequent sleepovers, foldable mattresses are a quick, easily stored option that should not require too much time for set-up. After guests leave, the cushions are easy to clean and store. Some beds are even light enough for children to stow.

Affordable Solution

While other options for travel and overnight guests include trundle beds, pull out couches, or multiple air mattresses that may only get a few uses each, foldable alternatives cost less and often last longer. Many companies offer a variety of sizes, so you only pay for the amount of space you need.

Looking for a folding alternative? Explore our picks for the Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds .

Convenient for Campers

Whether you love to sleep under the stars, or in your tent, safe from mosquitos, foldable mattresses are a great option for comfort. For insulating sleepers from the cold ground and elevating your back from roots or pebbles, a light-weight foldable bed has the power to transform a camping experience, without taking up too much storage space.

Travel Hack

Long road trips can wreak havoc on a traveler’s mental and physical state, making a good night’s sleep extra important, especially with time zone changes. Bringing along a foldable mattress can ensure wherever you end up stopping, there will be a bed with your name on it. Many travelers even use their foldable mattress to convert the back of their cars into a sleep oasis with the help of some pillows and blankets .

Folding Mattress Buyers Guide: Things to Look For

The cover for a folding mattress.

Removable covers protect the mattress from stains, moisture, dirt, or potential allergens. As not every brand includes them your purchase, you may consider buying a cover separately or choosing a brand with better protection.

Covers can also add to the comfort, style, and usefulness of a bed. Non-slip grips may be necessary if the beds are being used on slippery flat surfaces or inclines. While most are made from polyester material, some claim to be softer or more comfortable than others. Reading customer reviews may help verify these claims.

Want to see more? Check out our guide for the best mattress protectors .

The Materials Inside a Folding Mattress

Foldable mattresses are made primarily of two types of foam, polyurethane, and memory. Some offer a combination of memory foam toppers, and polyurethane layers for support, while others are made completely of polyfoam. While memory foam is better for back support, it is much denser than polyfoam and may make the bed heavier and less transportable.

Polyfoam offers less support and can sometimes feel softer, but it can be much less dense and is often a less expensive option. Some customers choose to buy polyfoam foldable mattresses with separate toppers if they need additional support.

As with any bed-in-box option, the mattress may come out of the box smelling strongly of chemicals until it airs out, in a process called “off-gassing.” While there are no studies specifically linking off-gassing to cancer or serious medical conditions, buyers who are sensitive to smells may experience headaches, sinus discomfort, or coughing as a result.

To avoid this, buyers can simply let the bed air out for a full twenty-four hours before use, or simply look for the Certi-PUR logo on company websites. This certification ensures that the company complies with specific standards regulating the amounts and types of chemicals used in the mattress foam. The result should be less off-gassing and a less noticeable scent upon unboxing.

Thickness/Height

Foldable beds come in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 3 to 6 inches, generally corresponding to prices. In most cases, a thicker layer of foam means better support, however, in some cases, four-inch memory foam may offer more support than a polyfoam six-inch mattress, as memory foam tends to more effectively offer support as it hugs curves and relieves pressure points.

As foldable beds are often used without a base, it is important to make up for the lack of stability or support. Opting for a higher-density polyfoam with at least medium firmness will likely afford reliable support, cost less, and ensure the foam does not compress and wear out over time.

Most foldable mattresses are stuffed tightly to make up for the lack of stability from a base, or springs, resulting in firm support. While this is great news for stomach and back sleepers, firmer options may not be the best long-term option for side-sleepers.

Some options with lower density foam are softer than others, which may be more comfortable for side sleepers as long as the bed does not compress too much and leave you on the floor in the morning. Mattress firmness is largely a matter of preference, so reading reviews may not be as helpful in this department. It might be best to go with a brand that offers a money-back guarantee, or at least a reasonable return policy if you feel you may need to try a product out for yourself.

Folding Mattress Sizes

Foldable mattresses are available in a variety of sizes and prices, with some conforming to the traditional twin, full, queen range, and others offering extra small singles to extra-large California kings.

It is important to check the dimensions before ordering to make sure your bed can fit in your tent, car, or preferred location before it arrives on your doorstep. The table below provides a common approximate dimension across a variety of brands for each listed size, with the height varying by customer selection.

When the mattress is solely for the use of children, smaller sizes provide plenty of space and make for easy storage. However, when your bed may be used to accommodate a variety of adults, sometimes the extra money for the next size up may be worth the many nights of good sleep the increased legroom may provide.

Need more info? Visit our full mattress size chart .

Dimensions of a Folding Mattress When Folded

While a bed may be light enough to carry on your next camping trip, you will want to make sure it can reasonably fit in your car or other intended storage space. The length and width may be standard by size, but the mattresses fold in a variety of ways, even if they are all trifold. The folded dimensions should be available in each available size on the company’s website.

Total Weight of a Folding Bed

Even the smallest size memory foam will probably out-weigh larger poly-foam options because of their substantial density. Be sure to consider the total weight and intended purpose of each product before buying, so you do not end up in the lurch with a fifty-pound mattress the night before your big solo camping trip.

Ease of Movability

For mattresses that need to be brought on vacations or stowed and used frequently, keep an eye out for options that increase movability. Handles, securable segments via velcro straps, and totes are all useful in this effort.

Additional Considerations When Looking for a Folding Mattress

Built-in pillow.

Some beds offer a built-in-pillow option for added comfort, which can eliminate the need to provide your own for yourself or guests. For non-pillow snobs, this may be a convenient feature to consider.

However, if the foldable mattress you choose doesn’t come with this option, take a look at some of our top picks for best pillows .

While foldable beds are generally an affordable alternative to luxury air mattresses or cots, some foldable mattresses are pricier than others. For a one-time activity or event, the cheaper option may be best for budget mattress shoppers. These products however don’t tend to last as long, so if you see yourself using it more than a few times a year, a few extra dollars might be worth a few extra Zs.

Storage Capacity

A few extra inches of foam may make a grand difference for heavier sleepers but also amounts to more storage space when not in use. Consider who will be using the bed before buying. Lighter sleepers like children may benefit from a thinner mattress that stores easily in a closet. Read More: How to Properly Store Your Mattress

If you are unsure about the type of bed you want, choose one with a warranty that will allow you to easily return your product if a feature does not work well for you. Many brands offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee to ensure you get what you pay for.

Remember that even with a guarantee, it is a good idea to order with enough time to take advantage of a possible exchange before you need the bed. The internet is littered with tales of shoppers who have a warranty and a receipt, but not enough time to return something before the event they bought it for. Be wise, order in advance.

Compatibility with Sleeping Position

While traditional mattresses can cater well to specific sleeping positions, foldable mattresses have less to offer in terms of variety. However, a few key considerations should help shoppers make the most of their purchase. For back sleepers and stomach sleepers , medium to firm support offers the necessary support for hips and spinal positioning, and the good news is that foldable mattresses naturally fall into this category.

For side sleepers , softer to medium firmness is preferable, as long as there is enough support to stop the foam from compacting under your weight. Softer foldable mattresses are not as common as they require additional layers of support, so a good alternative is the memory foam option. Memory foam cradles pressure points on the shoulders and hips but rises to support the waist and legs.

Other Uses of a Folding Mattress

If you are short on space, consider purchasing a multi-functional option that folds into a chair or couch, like one of our picks for best futon mattresses . These mattresses are great for dorm rooms, movie nights, and children’s rooms, as they provide extra seating or bedding in a snap and do not need to be stored at all.

Some colorful options double as room decor and bedding for sleepovers. Other customers have combined the product with their creativity to pad RV benches during the day, and then unfold them for a full sleeping arrangement at night.

Foldable mattresses have a seemingly unlimited number of uses, and a good quality bed has the ability to provide life-changing comfort to customers for years. From camping to road trips and everything in-between, these beds are a game-changer.

While improving sleep for yourself and guests is a plus, the easy storage, transportation, and multi-functional options make this purchase a no-brainer for travelers and entertainers. With a variety of colors and low-cost alternatives, there truly is something for everyone in the world of foldable mattresses.

Jill Zwarensteyn

About author.

Jill Zwarensteyn is the Editor for Sleep Advisor and a Certified Sleep Science Coach. She is enthusiastic about providing helpful and engaging information on all things sleep and wellness.

Combination Sleeper

• lol Badge Feed
• win Badge Feed
• trending Badge Feed

Browse links

• © 2024 BuzzFeed, Inc
• Consent Preferences
• Accessibility Statement

Beauty + Personal Care

Sports + Fitness

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Just 27 Products Reviewers Say Are “Great For Travel"

Scroll down for must-have travel products that are reviewer approved.

BuzzFeed Contributor

1. A digital luggage scale , so you won't have to guess if your bag is overweight, only to suffer the embarrassment of having to empty your things in front of the entire airport. And then, trying your best to move your belongings around because paying that overweight baggage fee is way too expensive. 

You can also switch between pound and kilogram measurements. 

Promising reviews:  "Compact and accurate handheld weighing machine. Love its portability – great for travel. The digital display is easy to read, and the tare function is handy. Definitely a reliable tool for managing weight on the go!" — NPorwal

"This scale works and was accurate on four flights. The first flight was a test at 46 pounds, and Delta scales said it was 46 pounds. The next two flights were at 49 pounds, and both United and Delta found it to be 49 pounds. The bag on the fourth flight weighed 49, but the United scale found it to be 48 pounds. Four different airports and scales proved that this scale is a good, low-cost, must-have item for air travel. " — Robert

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+  (available in four colors and a two-pack).

2. An inflatable wedge pillow  that may look a little odd, but this comfy pillow will help you get the best sleep possible while traveling. It can also be used if you're not tired but don't feel like talking to the passenger next to you. You can just slip your phone inside so you can catch up on your fave show privately.

BTW, it comes with a fabric slipcover that's machine washable. 

Promising reviews:  "Great for travel. Easy to inflate and deflate. Very portable for traveling."  — Tim Folisi

"This is a very comfortable pillow. Great for plane travel. It keeps you out of people's space and keeps your neck straight so there are no kinks." — Sabrina Owens

Get it from Amazon for  $24.99.  

3. Or a  Trtl neck pillow  if you prefer sleeping while you're sitting up. This will keep your neck in place so you won't jerk awake when your head falls forward, inducing one of those annoying dreams when you feel like you're falling.

Promising review: "Lightweight, great for travel. It fits into my bag flat, which makes it so much easier to travel with. I use it almost every week taking a red-eye flight, and it's been a lifesaver."  — Seoweon

Get it from Amazon for  $64.99+  (available in five colors).

4. An external battery  that can charge your phone up to three times, so you can make it through your road trip if you depend on your phone for GPS or if you like to listen to your fave podcast on long flights.

Promising review: "This little power bank works as it is supposed to. Only used it once so far. Charged my iPhone 40% in a little over one hour. This is something you don’t know you need it until you need it. Great for travel or power outages. Very small but mighty and very affordable."  — Beverly

Get it from Amazon for  $19.99+  (available in three colors).

5. An international power converter , so you'll be able to plug in your electronics and devices in 150 countries! This is a must-have for any globetrotter. It has a 5-foot detachable power cable, four different sockets, and a built-in thermostat switch that'll automatically shut off in case of overheating, over-current, over-voltage, overcharging, or short-circuit. 

Sokoo is a small business creating voltage converters, travel adapters, cooling fans and more.

Promising review:  "Great for travel. This power converter worked very well on a recent trip overseas. It is compact and has several outlet adapters. I was able to charge our phones and use a curling iron with no problems."  — Janet Paffenbarger

Get it from Amazon for $39.98 . 

6. An  AirFly , aka a wireless transmitter that'll connect your  AirPods  (or any other Bluetooth headphones) to the jack on your flight so you won't have to use those flimsy headphones that they charge extra for on some flights. Now, you can enjoy all the free entertainment you want.

It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.

Promising review: "Great device for travel. I did not love how my ears felt after using the airline's free headphones. I decided to give this a try so that I could use my wireless headphones. I charged it and set it up ahead of the trip, and it was amazing!! I loved being able to turn it on and plug it in. I only used it for the flights (a total of 14 hours) and didn't need to recharge at all. I like that this can be plugged into anything that doesn't have Bluetooth. The instructions were very easy to set up; I would definitely buy this product again. "   — Shea

Get it from Amazon for  $34.99+  (available in four styles and two colors).

7. A waterproof Kindle  because packing a heavy book just isn't ideal. Plus, you will no longer have to worry about getting a book wet or getting sand in between the pages. This Kindle has so many great features: the battery lasts for weeks, it has a built-in adjustable light, and you can download books instantly. If you love reading, it's time to upgrade because this is a game changer. 

Promising review:  "The battery life is amazing! Perfect for travel and easily fits in my purse."  — James B.

Get it from Amazon for $114.99+  (available with or without ads, with or without Kindle Unlimited, and three colors).

8. A rotating  hands-free phone mount  that you can attach to the tray table on your flight, an armchair, your luggage handle, or basically any surface so you can catch up on your fave show anywhere, anytime. Hey, you're on vacay — boredom is not on the itinerary.

Promising reviews : "Great for travel. Bought these for our kids to use on the airplane! They work great for our kids to mount their phones to anything!" — caitria geldermann

"Perfect for travel. This little gizmo was my trusty friend during two months of travel. It’s perfect for plane travel, as well as at hotels and home, as a great little holder for hanging out at any desk or table. Takes a bit of practice to get used to the best form for holding and hanging the phone, as the permutations seem endless. Once you get the hang of it, you will be so glad you made this purchase. Highly recommend." — City Pickle

Get it from Amazon for $13.97+  (available in four colors and in a two-packs).

9. A set of  acupressure anti-nausea wristbands  for anyone who gets motion sickness or nausea. I 👏 swear 👏 by 👏 these!! I used these throughout my pregnancy to help with morning sickness and I use them whenever I'm on a cruise, boat, or long road trip. And, they work like magic! These are the perfect drug-free alternative to prevent that annoying feeling that you're about to throw up.

The band applies pressure on the P6 acupressure point, which is said to help relieve nausea and vomiting.

Promising reviews: "Perfect for traveling and helped me survive my Europe trip! I appreciated that they came with short how-to-use instructions. The wristbands are very small and fit easily in any pocket. I used them while riding in the backseat of a car, traveling on a plane, and riding trains, and all three times, I felt fine. Without these, I would've gotten major nausea, headache, and indigestion.  Although they leave some pressure marks, if you wear them for a couple of hours, they will eventually go away. However, I have not tried it while taking a boat ride, so I can't speak for that." — Helena

"Great for travel. Worked well for our cruise." — Amazon Customer

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.53+  (available in six colors and a two-and four-pack).

10. A lightweight and compact  stroller  because it can fit in the overhead bin on a plane so you can avoid the hassle of waiting around after your flight to get your stroller out of storage. Bonus: it'll fit easily in the trunk of a rental car or if you need to catch a cab.

FYI: This was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for being the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and weighs only 9.5 pounds.

Promising review: "Great for travel! We bought this stroller for our 18-month-old on a recent airplane trip and would definitely recommend it. It is so easy to unfold and fold, and we took it directly on the airplane and put it in the overhead bin with no issues.  Our 18-month-old fits perfectly, and we definitely will get more use out of it as he grows. We love that we don’t have to lug around our big stroller to the airport anymore and do a gate check. The only downfall of the stroller is the underneath pocket compartment is very small and wouldn’t even fit a child-size backpack, so do not rely on the under compartment for storage. Would definitely recommend though, and we thought it was a great price!" — Alex

Get it from Amazon for $219.99+  (available in four styles, three colors, and with or without a travel bag).

11. Or, a  JetKids ride-on carry-on suitcase  that any parent traveling with a child will absolutely love. Not only does it have room for storage, but it also has wheels and it's designed for your toddler to sit on and ride as your pull it through the airport. If you don't want to lug a stroller, this will be the next best thing. Oh, and it can be used as a leg rest to keep your kiddo comfy during their flight.

It's recommended for kids ages 3–7 and fits most standard economy seats. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so you can carry it over your shoulder, a top handle, and a mattress inside that can be removed and used while on the flight. Parents have even used this product while in the airport waiting for the flight to keep their kids comfy and happy. 

Promising review: "Perfect for travel. Very spacious for all the toys that we use on our trips. This travel suitcase is dedicated only to my daughter's stuff for the flight, and she loves it. She can ride it, play around with it, and we used it on our overnight flights as well." — Natalie 

Get it from Amazon for $229  (available in six colors). 

12. A genius  luggage-mounted cup caddy  because you won't have to hesitate when you want to grab a snack or coffee (or a margarita!) when your trudging through the terminal with all of your stuff. Now, you'll have a place to put your drink and food.

Promising review : "Perfect for traveling. Super easy to put on and take off and holds my coffee, water, and cellphone!" — RS

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 26 colors/styles). 

13. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers  to make it easier for your toddler to snack as much as they want while traveling without getting crumbs all over the place. These genius cups make it easy for your child to get their snacks out without making a mess.

Promising reviews: "These help prevent a lot of mess and work great for traveling and snacking in the car." — Alexandra

"Perfect for any snacks: grapes, chips, cookies, etc. No more spills. Great for home and traveling!" — Precious

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.96  (available in two color combos, four-packs, and bundles with cups or bowls).

14. A  portable white-noise machine  because it will drown out noise so you (or your child) can fall asleep and stay asleep just about anywhere. It's perfect for noisy hotel rooms or if your little one is overdue for a nap but you're out and about sightseeing or shopping — just clip it onto their stroller to help your fussy toddler drift to sleep.

This has four sound options: heartbeat, white noise, ocean, and lullaby.

Promising review: "Perfect for travel. This little sound machine is awesome! Perfect size to clip-on to a car seat or diaper bag for naps on-the-go." — Angela Iysheh

"Great for travel. Great sound machine for travel or just when out running errands and you need to get the little one to nap." — Ashley Hardee Rice

Get it from Amazon for $11.97 .

15. An upright toiletry bag for anyone who doesn't mind checking a bag and needs more room to hold full-size items. This can be hung in a closet or behind a door so you won't have to unpack all of your toiletries, yet you'll have easy access to all your stuff. It saves counter space and it's great for tiny hotel rooms or cruise ship cabins.

This has   eight huge mesh pockets in the main compartment, four zippered pockets (three internal, one external), and six additional pouches to keep your bath products perfectly organized. 

Promising review: "Great for travel. I use this mainly for keeping my toiletries in one spot and it's useful when you share a bathroom with others that like to 'borrow' your stuff. Plenty of room for storing a variety of toiletries with room to spare. Well constructed with solid zippers and lots of pockets. I like that you can hang the whole bag on a hook or cabinet handle and have everything at your fingertips." — bigslim

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes and 20 styles/colors). 

16. An  anti-theft backpack equipped with slash-resistant fabric, locking zippers, and built-in RFID-blocking technology to protect all your important items.

It's got lots of zippered pockets and compartments inside and out, plus it comes with two bottle holders!

Promising review: "Great for travel. I can't give this bag a better review. It is well made, has lots of pockets that securely close, and carries a lot for its size." — mwoo

Get it from Amazon for $99.95+ (available in six colors/styles).

17. A compact  folding travel mirror  so you don't have to worry about your hotel's horrible lightning. This mirror has built-in adjustable lighting so you can clearly see yourself while applying makeup or doing your hair. Plus, it also has a stand, so you can prop it up anywhere.

It comes with a rechargeable battery!

Promising reviews: "Absolute must for travel. Hotels and Airbnbs rarely have both good lighting and a good mirror to sit down and do your makeup. With this guy though, you won't have that worry. The different lights are wonderful for different settings; the mirror is sturdy and lightweight. It does not feel cheap at all, in fact, it is the best travel mirror I have purchased. I am now using this on a daily basis, so I think it was an awesome find, not just for traveling but also for every day! It also is really slim and fits in your carry-on easily." — Alexandra

"Great for travel. I bought this for my daughter for Christmas. She doesn't use it a whole lot but I borrowed it for a recent trip. It worked really well and it's protected for travel. I didn't feel like it was going to break in my bag. I would definitely recommend for someone looking for a travel mirror." — Danielle

Get it from Amazon for $25.89+  (available in five colors). 

18. A pair of  compression socks  if your feet usually get swollen during long flights. These will help reduce swelling and they also wick away moisture to prevent your feet from getting sweaty. 

Promising reviews:  "With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30,000 miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10–15 hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!" — J. Beaty

"Great for travel. This is my third pair. My ankles swell when I travel, and these socks eliminate that. Recommend" — Nora

Get them from Amazon for  $16.02+  (available in sizes S–2XL and 18 colors).

Check out our full  review of the Physix Gear compression socks  here.

19. A  mesh shoe pouch  so you can stop storing your shoes in old shopping bags — there's a better way. This will keep your shoes separated from your clothes so they won't get anything in your luggage dirty. It also has a trolly strap so you can attach it to your suitcase handle to save room for other items in your bag.

Promising review: "Great for traveling. I really like this bag and how it protects shoes and keeps them from touching clothing in the suitcase. I also like that the bag allows you to stand the shoes up in the suitcase as opposed to having to lay them flat. I purchased several bags so I was able to pack flip flops, swim shoes, dress shoes, tennis shoes, etc. I was able to surprisingly fit more shoes in one bag than I thought I would. The handle is convenient and the print is fun!" — Holly

Get it from Amazon for $22.99  (available in nine styles). 

20. A pack of disposable face towels if you have sensitive skin and you want to avoid using hotel towels that can harbor bacteria or are often cleaned using harsh ingredients. They're designed to be gentle on your skin and can reduce redness, dryness, and irritation. They feature a smooth side for washing and a textured side to exfoliate or buff away SPF or product build-up. Plus, they're compact and won't take up much space in your suitcase or purse.

Promising review: "These can be a little expensive, but I do love using these over regular towels that can harbor bacteria. I got the XL and I find I can use one side in the morning and the other at night. I will order these over and over again I love them that much. The absorb well, are great for traveling — who wants to use a hotel towel on their face?? I can tell that my face has appreciated the change to this towel. And, a plus is that my esthetician also uses these so I know they're good !" — LovetoShop

Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in two sizes and various multi-packs).

21. A set of  silicone bottle covers  that can be used to cover various bottles and containers to prevent them from leaking in your luggage. They're stretchy enough to fit over most shampoo, lotion, body wash, and beauty product containers. The best part? They won't lose their shape, so you can use them again and again.

Promising review: "These work! Great for travel. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! One of my friends told me about these silicone bottle covers, and now I am also recommending them to others. I've had too many spills in my cosmetic bags over the years, and have never found an ideal solution to completely prevent them, until these. What I like about them is the peace of mind that the contents are secure when traveling.  Flexible fit, they easily stretch to fit securely over various bottle sizes. I bought two different options. Reusable. FUN colors!" — Chicago

Get a set of four from Amazon for $5.99 (also available in various multi-packs).

22. Or a  16-piece travel toiletries set  if you'd rather not travel with full-sized products and instead save some coins by packing everything in a carry-on. This set includes empty, leak-proof containers that are TSA-approved so you can fill them with your fave products. Plus, it comes with a funnel for easy filling and zip bag to keep everything together.

The set comes with four bottles, two jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers (to help transfer creams), one funnel (to help transfer liquids), one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in.  

Promising review:  "Great for travel. Easy to use and did not leak. Great size. I would order again." — Becky

Get it from Amazon for $8.49+  (available in four colors). 

23. An inflatable footrest  to keep you extra comfy during your next flight. It allows you to prop your feet up and kick back. It can be inflated to three heights. Plus, it includes an eye mask, earplugs, a dust cover, and a drawstring bag for storage.

Promising review: "I didn't buy this for the longest time, thinking inflation would be annoying or it'd be too bulky. I finally ordered it and love it. It's very easy to inflate since it has two inflation methods. Folds up smaller than our travel pillows. It's great for travel in cars and planes, and our kid likes sitting on it at home too. Recommend." — D

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+  (available in four colors and two-packs). 

24. A travel wallet  because it'll keep all your important documents organized so you won't freak out while rummaging through your bag searching for your passport. It has a bunch of slots and compartments to store your cards, ID, cash, and more, so that everything is easy to find. Plus, it has an RFID-blocking material that keeps your personal information secure.

This wallet has a passport pocket, a boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a SIM card pouch, a coupon ticket slot, a cellphone pouch (max 5.8 inches), a money and coins zippered pocket (fits US dollars), a key holder, a pen holder, and a slim pocket.

Promising review:  "This is a great all-in-one product for traveling!! I was able to put everything in this, from credit cards, my ID and passport, physical currency, coins, and a pen! There's even a slot for a sim card if needed! Great product and well made, sturdy! Will last you a long time!!" — Bryce

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 27 colors).

25. A Master Lock portable safe  so you won't have to worry about your valuables during your vacation. It's compact enough to fit in your luggage, yet large enough to store your jewelry, phone, passport, and other important items you want to keep safe. It has a combination lock and can be attached to a fixed item with the included cable.

Promising review:  "Great for travel. This small safe is wonderful to store valuables while traveling. It is the perfect size to store cash, phones, and small items you need to protect. This could also be used in the home. I am very pleased with my purchase." — Gina E. Macias

Get it from Amazon for $23.86+ (available in two colors). 

26. A set of  compression packing cubes  that will not only save space, but also separate your clothing so everything is organized and easier to find. You won't have to rummage through your suitcase or unpack to find your swimsuit. All you have to do is fold your clothes, slip them into these bags, and then press down to flatten. And, these cubes help protect your clothes from wrinkles!

Pssst, if you want to be even more organized, use labels so you'll know where everything is without having to unpack your suitcase.

Promising review: "Great for travel. I used these when packing for a week-long trip. They   definitely helped keep things organized as well as allowed me to pack more than I would have been able to without them . I think it's a good price for what you get. They seem well made, so we will see if they last as I use them on more trips." — Allyson

Get a four-pack for $24.99+  (available in packs of four, five, and six and in various colors/patterns).

27. A  waterproof pouch  for anyone who never wants to be away from their phone. This can hang around your neck and will keep your cell safe from all those waves. And, you'll still be able to use the touchscreen, so you won't miss any opportunity to snap the perfect vacay pics. You can even slip some money or your credit cards in there, too.

It's designed to fit any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). And not only will it keep your phone protected from water, but it will also keep sand and dirt out.

Promising review:  "I bought this for taking underwater and water sports photos on a cruise. I was skeptical that this would truly be waterproof, but this pouch held up well, and I was able to take really great underwater photos. The photo quality was great, considering my iPhone 6 was inside the plastic pouch and I had no issue using the touch screen. I like that this isn't big and bulky, so it's great for travel and also comes with a lanyard so that you can carry your phone while doing things like kayaking and swimming so you can keep your hands free."  — Courtney

Get it from Amazon for $5.59+ (available in 14 colors and designs).

You, totally ready to travel like a pro:

Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Share This Article

Air travel has gone to the dogs — literally. Here’s what to know about BARK Air

BARK Air officially launched this week, completing its first flight from New York to Los Angeles on Thursday. It also flies to London and aims to add more routes in the coming months.

Joe Gall / BARK

Flying with your dog in first class may sound like a far-fetched dream for many pet lovers. But a new boutique airline launching this week aims to make the “white paw experience” a reality.

BARK Air describes itself as “the world’s first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs first, and their human companions second.”

"BARK Air has taken the white glove experience typical of a human's first-class experience and redirected all that pampering to pooches – from booking to arrival, to in-flight services and disembarkation, dogs will truly be the VIPs and treated to a positively luxurious, curated experience," it said in an announcement last month .

BARK Air officially got off the ground on Wednesday afternoon, when its inaugural flight ferried six dogs of varying breeds — from Chihuahuas to a Golden Retriever — and 11 humans (both passengers and crew) from New York to Los Angeles.

The Very Important Pups were treated to chicken-flavored puppuccinos, special cupcakes and a shoe — on a platter — to snack on, according to BARK Chief of Staff Katharine Enos. She told NPR over email that there was “no drama on board.”

“Brooklyn (dachshund) and Eddy (golden) [were] friends and played and the little dogs took nice long naps most of the way,” she added. “After lunch it was nap time for everyone. No potty accidents on board or stolen food either! Everyone felt connected in the way we were obsessed with our dogs.”

Introducing BARK Air: A 100% totally real airline for dogs. We're dog people, and we are tired of there being no truly dog-friendly options when it comes to air travel. Now booking the best-in-class dog focused flight imaginable at https://t.co/eZqVYMC5W3 pic.twitter.com/bzcY2rSO4h — BARK (@bark) April 11, 2024

The airline is a subsidiary of BARK, the company behind dog-focused brands like the subscription service BarkBox. Co-founder and CEO Matt Meeker says he’s been working towards this idea for over a decade.

He was inspired by his late Great Dane Hugo, who traveled with him often but could never fit on a plane — like many non-lap dogs, Hugo would have had to fly in the cargo area rather than the cabin. (Meeker even flew from Florida to New York in a cargo crate to show how disorienting that experience can be, as part of Bark Air's promotional campaign.)

Many airlines have tightened restrictions for emotional support animals on board in recent years. The logistics and cost of travel can be a highly emotional issue for many families who don't want to leave their dogs behind when relocating, let alone vacationing, Meeker says.

“We don't think of ourselves as selling dog toys or seats on an airline,” Meeker told NPR in a phone interview. “We think of ourselves as selling awesome emotional experiences with your dog.”

It’s also an expensive one: BARK Air flights between New York and LA cost $6,000 for one dog and one human (or one human and two dogs collectively under 50 pounds) in each direction, and one-way flights between New York and London go for $8,000.

Potential customers were quick to bemoan the cost, with one social media user joking that her pup would need to start selling “paw pics” to make it work.

Meeker acknowledged that “the price is high, and it’s too high.” But he said innovations, especially related to transportation, often become less expensive over time — and he hopes that will be the case with BARK Air, too.

“We have pretty clear ways of bringing those prices down if the demand is there, and that’s what we aim to do,” he added. “We want to make this affordable and accessible for as many dogs as possible.”

The airline aims to pamper passengers, both pups and people

The airline doesn't have dog size or breed restrictions but only allows humans over age 18 (or 126 in dog years).

On BARK Air, the drinks come in bowls, leashes replace seat belts, champagne is made of chicken broth and the bathroom is, well, anywhere.

“When they feel they need to go, they go,” Meeker said of the dog. “And then we clean up after them. And then we clean the plane between every turn.”

It’s one of the many unique perks — and logistical challenges — of an airline for dogs. BARK has partnered with a New York-based charter company called Talon Air, which provides the pilots, flight crew and plane, a Gulfstream V.

The jets accommodate 14 human passengers, but BARK is capping them at 10 to offer extra space. Meeker says it aims to make the experience as comfortable as possible for dogs, starting “even before the flight.”

BARK Air will do a “pup intake” to learn about the dogs’ temperament and preferences. On the day of the flight, humans are advised to show up an hour early to the terminal, where they’ll present their ID and walk straight onto the plane.

“And so what we've bypassed there is a busy commercial airport and a very rigid TSA environment, and treating the dog as just another piece of luggage,” Meeker said.

Dogs and humans get served their meals — and stow away their toys — before the flight takes off to avoid potential territorial disputes. Once in the air, dogs are offered perks like a spa treatment and blankets covered with pheromones for extra comfort. Meeker says the in-flight crew is trained in dog CPR and “fear-free behavioral practices.”

The airline has no dog size or breed restrictions, but humans must be over 18 (aka 126 in dog years). Once on board, humans are advised to keep their dogs leashed as much as possible and ask before approaching others’.

Meeker, who traveled with his dog on two recent test flights between Florida and New York, says people hoped the dogs would misbehave for purposes of the experiment — but they did anything but, even during moments of “pretty significant turbulence.”

“They calmed everyone down, they floated around, they'd take someone’s seat,” he said. “A strange dog, like, not your dog, would wander up, sit on the couch next to you, put their head in your lap, and it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s great.’ ”

He added, “I don’t know why I’m surprised by this, but the dogs made it magical.”

Demand already appears to be taking off

BARK Air is partnering with charter company Talon Air to offer several flights per month. Some are already sold out for June and July.

Meeker said the initial reaction to BARK Air’s launch has been “really overwhelming and positive.”

BARK Air is offering about four round-trip cross-country flights a month, with several already sold out for June and July. It’s already planning to expand its routes, starting with a New York to Paris trip beginning in the fall.

“About a third of people apparently buy their air travel six months in advance,” he said. “So we just published our schedule through the end of the year in order to serve that crowd better.”

The airline is soliciting requests for additional destinations, and Meeker said it received over 15,000 in the first week alone.

They’ve heard from military families who are moving, people who travel for business and New Yorkers spending summers outside the city — all of whom want their dogs there too. Meeker also noted significant demand from snowbirds who want to go south with their dogs for the winter and many requests for flights in and out of Chicago.

“We're just processing that information and choosing the dates, and we're learning a lot,” he added.

He hopes the forthcoming data will allow the company to make more cost-effective decisions soon.

“We’re probably doing this the most expensive way we could, which is chartering a private plane from a private owner,” he explained.

The next step would be to make a longer commitment with the charter company, leasing the plane for a month or even a year to bring down costs. Even better would be buying and outfitting a plane. Meeker has his eye on a Boeing 747 model with a back half dedicated to cargo that could serve as an additional source of revenue.

He says this team already has a design that would feature private cabins with lay-flat beds, a central “dog park” and a bar, for dog and human socializing, respectively.

“That’s the dream,” he added. “But it’ll take a little bit of time to get there.”

Copyright 2024 NPR

OPB’s First Look newsletter

Streaming Now

Think Out Loud