Attn, Parents: The SlumberGo Playard Is About to Change Your Vacations (and Naptime) Forever

No wonder this brand was a ‘Shark Tank’ sensation

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

slumbergo travel crib open and in backpack
aly owens/purewow
  • Value: 18/20
  • Quality: 19/20
  • Ease of Setup: 20/20
  • Comfort: 19/20
  • Portability: 19/20

TOTAL: 95/100

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Traveling becomes a lot more daunting (and cumbersome) when you have a baby in tow. Even quick day trips can feel like a project when you’re hauling all kinds of gear, managing feeding and naptime routines and, you know, just trying to enjoy life with minimal meltdowns.

When we heard that SlumberPod, the company behind the PureWow Happy Kid Award-winning, PureWow100-vetted (and Shark Tank-featured) sleep tent, was launching a travel crib, we got curious. Especially when we learned that the crib, called the SlumberGo, is designed to be lightweight (under 18 pounds) and fold up to fit in a TSA-friendly backpack that fits into overhead bins when flying, we had to test it out. Aly Owens, our senior director of social strategy and mom to a nearly 7-month-old, tried it out ahead of the SlumberGo’s launch. Here’s her honest review and photos, so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth ordering before your next trip.

slumbergo open panel mesh zipper
aly owens

What Is the SlumberGo?

What We Like

  • lightweight
  • incredibly easy setup
  • smart features (side zipper for easy access, mesh all around)
  • comfortable mattress

What We Don't Like

  • smaller size means baby may outgrow it faster

slumberpod

Simply put, the SlumberGo is a playard that folds up to a TSA-compliant 23-inch by 9-inch rectangle and comes with a travel case, so you can tote it like a backpack. It’s designed to be used on its own, but it also fits under the SlumberPod, so you can create a fully portable sleep nook to help your baby wind down, no matter where you are.

Fast Facts

  • Return Policy: Can return for a refund, minus a 10% restocking fee, within 30 days of delivery (view full policy here)
  • Dimensions: 37.8” L x 23.6” W x 23.6” H (unfolded); 23” L x 9” W x 9” H (folded)
  • Age Range: Infant to 3 years, or up to 33 pounds

Our Review of the SlumberGo

slumbergo compared to traditional playard
Traditional playard vs. SlumberGo, for size comparison (Original photo: aly owens)

It Takes the Stress Out of Traveling

slumberpod

Owens was immediately impressed with how easy setup and teardown was. “It was the easiest process I think I’ve had with any baby item, to be honest,” she shares. It took her one minute and 48 seconds to set it up out of the box—including the time it took to read the instructions—and every time after that, 45 seconds or less.

“I feel like packing up is always the most daunting part, because things never seem to go back to being as compact as they were upon initially opening them, but the process was super straightforward and simple,” she says. Owens timed that too, and the first time, it took two minutes—and actually went back to its original folded size, without issue, and after that, it took just one minute and 30 seconds. “As a new mom, any task that takes less than two minutes is great in my book.”

slumbergo with baby sleeping in it
aly owens

The Mattress Is Breathable *And* Comfy

slumberpod

But what about comfort? Of course, ease of setup means nothing if your kid can’t stand actually being in the playard. SlumberGo exceeded expectations on that front too.

“It feels very sturdy, and I particularly like the mattress,” she says. “I feel like the mattresses in most pack-and-plays I’ve used are so flimsy—and seem so uncomfortable. This mattress feels thicker but is still firm and safe for sleep.”

On that note, the SlumberGo features a Bedgear-designed Air-X mattress, which is engineered to maximize airflow and breathability, preventing overheating. It also features mesh on all sides, with a zippered door at the front to make it easier to pick up your baby without having to lean over the side of the playard.

slumbergo unpacked
aly owens

One Thing Worth Noting

slumberpod

Price-wise, the SlumberGo is comparable to other travel cribs on the market. However, while it is compact, it’s not the lightest out there. At 17.2 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than the Guava Family Lotus ($300) and BabyBjörn Travel Crib ($230), which clock in at 15 pounds and 13 pounds, respectively. It’s something to consider as you weigh your options, though in our book, its overall portability, sturdiness and quality of the mattress more than make up for the extra weight.

slumbergo backpack
aly owens

The Bottom Line: SlumberGo All Out

slumberpod

On its own, the SlumberGo makes for a great travel crib and playard. If you travel frequently or your baby is having issues sleeping, it could be worth going all out for the Baby Dreams Bundle, which includes the SlumberPod to pop over the playard and create what’s essentially a private nook for your little one. (The bundle is also 24 percent off right now, saving you $117.50 for the duo.)



candace davison bio

VP of editorial content

  • Oversees home, food and commerce articles
  • Author of two cookbooks and has contributed recipes to three others
  • Named one of 2023's Outstanding Young Alumni at the University of South Florida, where she studied mass communications and business

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PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.