Joie Roomie GO travel cot review

At £180, it sits price-wise towards the top end of the travel bedside cot market, similar in price and features to the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up, £199, but 3 times the price of the budget Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Crib, £60.

What were your first impressions of the travel cot?

I was slightly alarmed by the size of the box, but happy to find that the Roomie Go cot itself is surprisingly compact. While at 9.5kg it is slightly heavier than some of its competitors, it folds up neatly into a slim frame that can easily be transported from room to room. I was really impressed that the crib came as one piece and could be assembled with no tools too.

How easy was it to build the Joie Roomie Go travel cot?

I find it difficult to put together the most basic flat-pack furniture, but constructing the crib was a breeze – even for me. The instructions were easy to follow, with handy illustrations depicting each step. There’s also a useful ‘how to’ video on YouTube. The crib comes in one piece, with legs and side panels attached, so it only took a few minutes to assemble as a standalone crib.

It took longer to work out how to use the ‘next-to-me’ function since there is no guidance on how to use the crib with a divan or ottoman base, only a traditional bed frame. I ended up resorting to Google, which slowed down the setup process. Once we knew how to attach the straps to the divan, assembling the crib only took a few more minutes.

How does the Joie Roomie Go travel cot compare to your current crib?

Until testing this product, my son was sleeping in a Moses basket. As an anxious first-time mum, I’ve spent a lot of time hopping out of bed at the sound of a squeak or whimper. Being able to sleep so closely to him made such a difference; I slept much better knowing he was within arms reach and nighttime feeds were much easier too.

The cot is much more spacious than a standard Moses basket and should also last at least 6 months longer. It does take up slightly more space (which I was wary about in our tiny flat) but it’s so easy to fold down that we could easily move it into different rooms and re-assemble before bedtime.

What age is the Joie Roomie Go travel cot suitable for?

This Joie bedside crib is suitable for babies from birth to 9kg – roughly a 6- to 9-month-old baby.

How firm is the mattress that comes with the Joie Roomie Go?

The mattress is firm but cushioned, with a decent amount of resistance.

How easy is it to fix the Joie Roomie Go travel cot to your bed?

In principle, it should be really easy to fix the Joie Roomie Go to your bed. There are 5 adjustable height settings, which is less than the 11 offered on both the Roomie and Roomie Glide, but we managed to align the crib perfectly with our bed.

However, the instructions only explain how to attach the cot to a standard bed frame. We have an ottoman base, so I assumed it wouldn’t be possible to use the next-to-me function. After quite a bit of research, we realised that it would be possible if we secured the straps to the frame inside the bed. It’s a shame this isn’t written in the instructions, as this could put people off splurging on the crib.

That said, the straps attached quickly, easily and securely to the standard bed frame at Granny’s house.

How easy is it to access your baby in the Joie Roomie Go travel cot?

I was really impressed by how easy it was to access my baby. You can lower both drop-down sides with one hand with one slick and silent motion. Unfortunately, after a few days, we found one side a bit sticky and often needed to use both hands to lift it back up.

How easy is it to see your baby in the bedside crib?

The mesh side panels of the Joie Roomie Go made it easy to see my baby when I was next to him, though the top and bottom panels are opaque.

How do you fold the Joie Roomie GO?

How portable is the Joie Roomie Go travel cot?

The Joie Roomie Go is a compact piece of kit and can fold down to a slim L88.8cm x W53cm x H23.5cm package that easily fits in the boot of a car. The crib is still reasonably large at almost 89cm long, which meant we had to store it in a larger cupboard when we weren’t using it.

At 9.5kg, the Joie Roomie Go is lighter than competitors like the Nuna Sena Aire travel cot, 9.9kg, though still significantly heavier than the likes of the Graco Foldlite, 6.78kg. I struggled to cart it around the flat immediately after giving birth, though it became much easier with time. The crib comes with a travel bag with a short overarm strap, which makes it easy to transport too.

It’s too large to slip in a suitcase but it is easy enough to pack in the back of a car, making it ideal for overnight stays with friends and family.

Does the cot rock?

No, the Joie Roomie Go does not rock.

Does the Joie Roomie Go travel cot tilt?

The cot has a tilt function for little ones with reflux or blocked noses to aid sleep. My baby does suffer from reflux, but I was apprehensive about using this feature as the NHS recommends newborns sleep on a completely flat surface unless advised by a GP. I imagine this is a handy feature for slightly older babies.

How comfy is the Joie Roomie Go crib for your baby?

My baby is a real wriggler and seemed to appreciate the extra space to flail his arms and legs around. The mattress is soft and supportive, and the panels are padded and soft for extra protection. The double mesh side windows provide additional ventilation, which I found reassuring on hot summer evenings. Considering it's designed for use as a travel cot, it's very comfortable.

How robust and durable does the Joie Roomie Go travel cot feel?

The crib feels a little rickety and does wobble forwards and backward when pushed due to its retractable legs. It still feels sturdy enough to withstand regular use, though I wouldn’t use it as a permanent sleep solution. The carry bag is a handy touch to keep the cot protected on journeys, too.

Is it easy to keep the cot clean?

The mattress cover is removable, but the instructions advise washing it at just 30 degrees, which I thought was a little low for tougher stains. The woven fabrics are wipeable but can’t be removed, so I was careful to avoid spilling anything on it.

Does the Joie Roomie Go travel cot have any in-built storage?

The crib does not have any in-built storage, so would be less suitable as a permanent option in my opinion.

Are there any useful design elements?

I found the lockable wheels made it really easy to move the Joie Roomie Go crib forwards and backwards, though it would have been useful if they moved side to side too. I appreciated the rubber covering too – it meant we could avoid scratching our wooden floors.

What would you have wanted to know before getting the Joie Roomie Go travel cot?

It would have been useful to know that the crib works with a divan bed base, as I wouldn’t have purchased it without being certain of whether I could use it with my bed. As it happens, you can use it with other types of beds.

What’s in the box?

• Crib frame and mattress
• Straps to attach the crib to the bed
• Travel bag
• Instruction manual

What are the additional accessories that you can purchase?

The crib is compatible with Joie Roomie Organic Fitted Sheets, though we trialled the crib with standard fitted cotton crib sheets.

Who is the Joie Roomie Go travel cot most useful for?

This product is most useful for parents who regularly make overnight trips and still want to enjoy the benefits of a bedside crib, or those who want to be able to move their crib from room to room with ease.

Is the Joie Roomie Go travel cot worth the money?

Yes, the Joie Roomie Go is well worth its premium price tag. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that it is only suitable for the first 9 months, so it’s worth purchasing when your little one is tiny to maximise usage.

Where can I buy the Joie Roomie GO?

It is available from John Lewis, Boots and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums verdict

The Joie Roomie Go is compact, comfortable and remarkably quick to assemble and fold down. If you’re looking for a portable crib with an option to keep little ones within arm's reach while they sleep, the Joie Roomie Go is an excellent choice.