Although tricky the very first time, the cot’s 60-second patented folding system makes it as easy as A,B,C to set up and collapse – yet it fully locks and is safe for your baby.
It has mesh on all sides for ventilation and visibility and comes with a comfortable, foldable mattress.
What we love
There’s very little not to love about this product. Priced extremely competitively at £40 upwards (depending on retailer), the Graco Compact is big and sturdy enough to give you years of use, yet it folds up into a unit that, as the name suggests, is very compact. Obviously, smaller and lighter cots are available, but they won’t necessarily give you two to three years of use.
Particularly impressive is the folding system. You, like I, will probably take more than 60 seconds to unfold and collapse the Graco Compact for the very first time, but it won’t take long before you master the genius of this system, and that’s when the whole process becomes child’s play ( pardon the pun!). Once the frame has locked into place, it’s almost as firm and robust as an ordinary travel cot held together with bolts and nuts.
Once collapsed, the mattress folds around the cot and the whole unit slips into a supplied carry bag.
On price alone this travel cot would be a serious contender for many parents, but the features make this close to unbeatable value for money.
During its trial with us the Graco Compact travel cot got the ultimate vote of confidence from our young daughter: solid sleep and not a grizzle at having to leave her normal cot.
What to watch out for
A potential downside is the weight and size. The Graco Compact, at 9.2kg and 80cm long when folded, is certainly not the lightest or smallest on the market and its suitability may well depend on what type of travelling you have in mind.
At the risk of saying the obvious, the Graco Compact would not be the cot to take for backpacking and hiking holidays. Also, consideration must be given by parents who’ll be flying a lot, as this cot will count as a separate piece of luggage and therefore subject to often considerable charges that a growing number of budget and mainstream airlines lump us with.
Who is the Graco Compact travel cot best for?
Parents wanting to hit the road with baby and get away.
The Graco Compact travel cot is a top product that’s competitively priced. After a little practice, the 60-second folding system will save you time and struggle. While not lightweight enough for backing folks, it will last for up to three years and is money well spent for a good night’s sleep.
