I am an obsessive comparison shopper. I research size, weight, price, convenience, style, and features–locating the best deals for you!
In this case, I was looking for a light weight playard that could hold my ever-growing giant baby…but what if your baby, or your apartment, is smaller and you want a compact playard? What if you want a full-featured playard that matches your decor? What if you are on a budget and what you really want is the cheapest (but still safe) option?
Mamanista has you covered. Below are my picks for the best compact playard, fully loaded playard (without breaking your back or the bank), and budget bare bones playard.
Researching these things is a borderline compulsion for me. I want the best for Baby Diva and I want the best for you and your family, too!
Super Dad thinks I am out of my mind and here is just one example of why. I actually have all of this on a spread sheet:
Phil & Teds Traveller- Mamanista’s Pick for an all around playard and a lightweight playard!
FEATURES: full sized, zipped top, self-inflating mattress
SIZE: 6 lbs without mattress; 51 1/2″L x 25″W x 31 1/4″H;
AVAILABLE: $150 at Nature’s Child and at BabyCenter
Graco Travel Lite 9001 and 9097 – Mamanista’s Pick for a compact playard!
FEATURES: smaller size, bassinet, wheels, canopy, toys, attractive patterns
SIZE: 19.7 lbs; 29.3H x 22.8W x 32L
AVAILABLE: Babies R Us: $69.98 (SALE PRICE); Babies R Us: (9097 with curved lines)$69.98 (SALE PRICE); Happy Mothers: $79.95 ($7.95 flat rate shipping); Target: $79.99
Baby Trend Playard (no bassinet) – Bare Bones Budget Pick
SIZE: 24 lbs (approx.); 29H x 28W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Babies R US: $39.99
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard (Living Room Models, incl. 9448) – Fully Loaded Pick
FEATURES: bassinet, wheels, mobile, changing table, wide range of attractive patterns (models with canopies are generally more expensive and weigh 31+ lbs.)
SIZE: 29+ lbs; 33H x 28W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Target: $99.99; Babies R Us: $99.99
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard 9350
FEATURES: bassinet, wheels, toys
SIZE: 23.7 lbs; 31.3H x 28.3W x 39.9L
AVAILABLE: Target: $59.99
Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard
9351 (“nursery” patterns), 9447 (more “modern” patterns)
FEATURES: bassinet, wheels, toys, wide some choice of patterns
SIZE: 29.7 lbs; 31.3H x 28.3W x 39.9L
AVAILABLE: 9351 at Target: $59.99; 9447 at Target: $99.99
Simplicity Travel Tender Portable Playard
FEATURES: bassinet, changing table, toys, canopy
SIZE: 30 lbs; 33.5H x 29W x 40.25L
AVAILABLE: Babies R Us: $109.99
Evenflo BabyGo Playard (no bassinet)
SIZE: 20.5 lbs; 29H x 28W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Target: $49.99
Evenflo BabyGo Playard
FEATURES: bassinet, wheels
SIZE: 24 lbs; 29H x 28W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Target: $69.99
Evenflo BabyGo Playard 3s Company
FEATURES: bassinet, wheels
SIZE: 23.5 lbs.; 28H x 33W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Target: $59.99
Combi Travel Solutions Playard DX
FEATURES: bassinet, changing table, variety of colors
SIZE: 40+ lbs; 31H x 28W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Target: $99.99
Cosco Funsport Playard (no bassinet)
SIZE: 24.7 lbs; not listed – appears full size
Available: Approx. $39.99
Oomo Roomo (no bassinet)
SIZE: 15.9 lbs; 31.5H x 37W x 40L
AVAILABLE: Right now only available in the UK for approximately 65 pounds (about $128) through Oomo
