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Best Baby Playpen
The world to babies must be so exciting and fascinating. Imagine that everything that you see is new! Brooms are fun spiky toys, the grass is soft and fun to scrunch, and there’s nothing more entertaining than spinning the toilet roll off of the holder – right?
Taking this into consideration, it’s no surprise that babies love to run and hide from the adults so that they can explore the world on their own. While most parents will encourage this, a lost toddler can also be rather worrying when you’ve looked in every room twice.
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For this reason, baby playpens are a great purchase for any parent who doesn’t have time to keep tabs on their baby every second of the day. They are large enough for your child to play and move around freely, but they are small enough to ensure that you know where the baby is.
Below we’ll be looking at the best five baby playpens available for you to purchase right now. We’ve also included a handy buyers guide to ensure that you get the best playpen to suit both you and your baby.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
Our rating:
Evenflo Versatile Play Space Adjustable Play Area, 6-Panel (Cool Gray)
- Indoor/Outdoor Versatility: Exclusive reversible legs have outdoor stakes for lawn stability and anti-movement/non-scratch floor pads for any interior floor surfaces
- Spacious: Over 18.5 square feet and 28” tall provides a safe space for the child to play
- Easy and Quick Assembly: No tools required
- Unique Hinge Design: Each panel can be a door access
- Portable: Foldable with molded handle for On-the-Go Safety
$67.99
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If you’re desperate to get your hands on a playpen to stop your baby from playing the terrifying version of hide and go seek, we have the solution for you.
The Evenflo Versatile Play Space is the best option on the market right now, and here are a few reasons why:
- Evenflo is a trusted brand that has been running for over 100 years.
- Use the playpen indoors and outdoors thanks to the versatile legs.
- You can fold and transport the playpen within seconds.
- It is suitable for babies from six to 24 months old.
Best Baby Playpen – Comparison Table
Best Baby Playpen – Reviews
Our Pick
Our rating:
First up on our list of the best baby playpens is the Evenflo Play Space, which is perfect for babies from 6 months to 2 years old. The playpen spreads across 18.5 square feet, which is plenty of room for one child with lots of toys. The legs can be reversed so that you can stake them in your lawn, or place them safely on hardwood floors without worrying about scratching it.
The playpen is very easy to assemble without any tools – simply unfold it and secure two panels together. The hinges allow you to fold up the playpen within seconds and the molded handle makes for easy transportation and storage.
Evenflo has been researching and developing their products for over a century, so you can trust them with the safety of your child. This play space is 28 inches tall making it very difficult for babies to escape from, and there are three color options available.
Pros
- Ideal for 6 to 24-month babies.
- The legs can be adjusted for outdoor use.
- Foldable within seconds.
- Trusted brand.
Cons
- The plastic might be flimsy in places.
- The hinges allow the shape to be manipulated easily.
Our rating:
Narrowly missing the top spot on our list is the play yard made of plastic walls. The walls are secure and any child will find it incredibly difficult to escape from this playpen. However, you can still see through the walls, so your baby isn’t completely secluded from the room you’re in.
The eight-panel design spreads across a 34.4 square feet area, so you can rest assured that your child will have enough room for all of their fun activities.
Each of the panels is removable for easy storage, and you can choose the size of the playpen that you want. Moreover, you can also use the walls as a safety barrier rather than a playpen if you needed to.
Choose between white, blue, and multi-colored playpen depending on your preference. This playpen comes with a carrying strap that you can use for easy transportation, and there are non-slip pads to prevent the pen from traveling when you don’t want it to.
Pros
- Very secure and difficult for babies to climb.
- Covers a large surface area to ensure plenty of room for fun.
- The included carrying strap makes transportation less of a hassle.
Cons
- There is no playpen included.
- There’s no door so you have to lift your child in and out of the pen.
Our rating:
The Regalo Play Yard is a little different than the rest of the models on our list, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great playpen. It measures in at 48 inches wide and 26 inches tall, and it even comes with a playmat!
While this playpen is smaller than the previous options, we still think that there is more than enough space for your baby to enjoy.
The playpen comes with a metal structure and walls made of mesh material which are very safe and almost eliminates the issue of your child climbing out of the playpen altogether.
Once you’re finished using the pen, simply fold it up and slot it into the handy carry bag.
That’s it! There is no disassembly required – all you need to do is fold the metal poles into each other, and outwards to expand it back open. The mesh walls are very easy to clean, as well as the nylon playmat.
Soapy water will be enough to ensure that the playpen is always kept hygienic.
Pros
- Great size for one baby.
- There’s an attached playmat!
- Easy storage and transportation.
Cons
- Not big enough for more than one child.
- There is no padding on the metal bars which could hurt your baby if they fell into one.
Our rating:
Next up is the colorful plastic baby playpen that measures in at 59 x 59 x 23.6 inches. This amount of floorspace offers your baby plenty of room to roam and play with a lot of toys, and there is even a panel of colorful toys built into the wall to keep your baby busy while you finish your chores.
The plastic walls have a base of anti-slip material to ensure that your playpen stays put in one place. Moreover, the attachments are secure so that your baby won’t be able to pull them apart and escape from the playpen.
Thanks to the lightweight plastic material, you can easily transport this playpen around with you. Putting it together again is equally as easy, with it only requiring 15 minutes of your time to set it up.
You can add or remove the panels as you see fit to adjust the size, which allows the playpen to grow alongside your baby.
Pros
- Large surface area for your baby to play.
- Anti-slip and secure attachments.
- Lightweight and easily transportable.
Cons
- There is no playmat included.
- The door lock is not high-quality.
Our rating:
Finally, the ANGELBLISS Playpen is a rectangular space with mesh walls to keep your baby from moving anywhere without your knowledge. The metal frame is securely padded to avoid any bumps or bruises, so you can enjoy the relief of knowing that nothing can harm your baby inside the playpen.
Use this playpen both inside and outside thanks to the easily cleaned material. Simply wipe the playpen down with soapy water and wait for it to dry. The suction cups on the bottom of the floor will make it very difficult for your baby to move.
The doorways can be zippered from the outside of the playpen, so you can open and close the space as you choose. This additional versatility allows you to decide how much freedom you give you to your child.
Pros
- The frame is padded for safety.
- Easy to clean and sanitize.
- Zippered doors for your baby to use.
Cons
- The mesh might not be the most durable.
- Difficult to fold up and transport.
Best Baby Playpen – Buyers Guide
Let’s discuss the most important factors to consider when comparing different baby playpens. Although playpens are designed to be fun and an area for your baby to play, they are also considered a safety precaution.
For this reason, you need to choose the best one for your baby. Luckily for you, following our buyers guide will help you do so and ensure that you don’t waste your time and money on a less than perfect playpen.
Type of Playpen
There are a few different types of playpen when it comes to the material that they’re made from. The most traditional type of playpen is a wooden model, with thin wooden bars that reach up to a certain height.
Wooden playpens look lovely and simple and can fit in with your interior design effortlessly.
Plastic playpens are another interesting option that gives your baby more stimulation thanks to the bright colors and fun textures.
The plastic bars are often thicker and therefore more secure; however, this can be harder to store when it’s not in use.
The final type of playpen is made from metal supports and mesh walls. These playpens are often smaller than the other two alternatives and therefore they’re much easier to clean.
The mesh walls are the most secure but there is less room for your baby to play and explore.
Size
The size of the playpen that you opt for depends on a couple of different considerations. For starters, playpens can be great places for playdates to take place.
If you have more than one child, you’re going to need a bigger playpen to ensure that your children don’t get in each other’s way.
Children like their own space from time to time, so it’s important to honor this by giving them sufficient space in their playpen. Don’t get one that is too small if you have room for a larger one.
Getting a larger playpen will also allow your child to grow into it, allowing you to get the most out of your purchase.
Safety and Lock System
Safety is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a playpen. The bars should be close enough together so that your baby cannot get stuck or out of the area, and they should be high enough to prevent your baby from learning how to climb out of it and potentially hurt themselves.
The majority of playpens have doors that you can either open or close depending on whether you can monitor your child or not.
The last thing you want is a door that doesn’t lock securely – otherwise, you might have a freight when you return to the room and find an empty playpen with the door wide open.
If you want to opt for the safest option for your child, you can also find playpens that offer multiple different locks on the door to ensure that there are no scary incidents.
Of course, you can always add on your own lock, but this defeats the object of purchasing a playpen with a lock.
Padding
Babies can be fast and clumsy when they’re excited, so padding is another safety precaution that you can opt for to avoid bumps and bruises.
Padded playpens are much safer alternatives to bare plastic or metal playpens, so this is something to consider when choosing the best option for you.
Some playpens also come with mattresses that are much more comfortable for your child to play on. Your baby can sleep in their playpen as well as playing, so naptime might be easier with a playpen mattress. However, mattresses can be harder to run on and therefore might increase the chances of more accidents.
Portability and Storage
Chances are you won’t want the playpen to be out and taking up space in your house permanently, so you need the model you choose to be portable.
The material should not be too heavy and ideally, the playpen would either fold or breakdown easily so that you don’t have to try and move the entire playpen at once.
While this doesn’t seem like a pressing issue, you’ll soon regret not choosing a portable playpen once you try and move it after its first use.
You can also take portable playpens to different houses which can be very helpful if you’re leaving your baby in another house for the day. Moreover, you can move your baby and playpen from room to room.
Storage is another important consideration. It’s all well and good for your playpen to break down for transportation, but if you don’t have space in your house to store 20 plastic walls, you might be stuck with the playpen set up in your house for all of eternity.
For this reason, don’t buy a playpen that is too large for your current setup.
Age Recommendation
Some baby playpens have different age recommendations, so don’t choose a model before checking this first.
Some playpens might be designed for newborns and therefore they’ll be too small for three-year-olds, and some playpens might be designed for toddlers and therefore your six-month-old baby will be able to wriggle through the bars.
The safety of your playpen will only work the best when you abide by the age restrictions. Don’t forget to check this before committing to the purchase.
If you’re unsure, mesh playpens are the safest bet as there are no bars for your small child to get stuck between.
Colors
Colors are known to stimulate babies and allow them to learn different things better, so choosing a playpen that is very colorful can be fun and interesting for your baby.
However, perhaps you’d prefer to match the colors of the playpen with your interior design.
The color you choose will depend on your personal preference for your playpen. Some playpens are brightly colored, some are plain and neutral, and some are made of natural colors.
No matter what color you’re looking for you’re sure to find it on the market, so keep looking!
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do you stop using a playpen?
The age that you stop using a playpen will depend on your baby and how they grow! As soon as your baby begins to learn how to climb out of the playpen, you can stop using it as it’s essentially redundant.
In other words, you can stop using the playpen when your child reaches a height of 34 inches and a weight of 30 pounds. Having said that, feel free to stop using your playpen whenever you like!
Even if your child can climb out of their playpen, they might still enjoy sleeping or playing in their own space. Why take away your baby’s special zone for no reason?
Are playpens safe for babies?
When you follow the safety precautions while your baby is in the playpen, it will be completely safe for your child.
Each playpen will come with its own set of safety precautions; however, we have added some of our own advice below to help you ensure that using the playpen is both fun and safe.
Safety Advice
- Don’t leave your baby unattended while they’re in the playpen.
- Keep the playpen clean and sanitize it after every use.
- Don’t leave the playpen near heat sources or open flames.
- Make sure that your baby cannot use large toys to climb out of the playpen with.
- Keep the playpen away from doors and windows.
- Don’t leave dangling cords near the playpen.
- Make sure that there are no holes in the material before each use.
