Tested by:
Katie used the cot with her 3-month-old son. She tested it on overnight stays at friends’ houses in the UK (pre-Covid).
What were your first impressions of the Nuna Sena Aire?
I was really impressed that the Nuna Sena Aire could be assembled in a matter of seconds after pulling it out of the box, with no tools required. It looks sleek and substantial and the soft grey 'Frost' colour is very restful.
What age is it suitable for?
The cot can be used from birth until 15kg. There is also a warning to discontinue using the cot when your child is able to climb out.
How does it work as a crib and cot?
The travel cot works well as 2 separate products. The crib is perfect for my 3-month-old son and would definitely suit newborn babies. The deeper cot is ideal for toddlers and gives parents the additional opportunity to use it as a play pen.
How does it compare to other travel cots?
In comparison to the other popular travel cot brands, the Nuna Sena Aire is at the top end of the market price-wise at £180. The cheapest travel cots, such as the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, start at around £30 (available on Amazon). But, it's worth remembering that with the Nuna Sena Aire you are buying a substantial piece of kit which is reflected in the quality – for example it has extensive padding and it’s raised off the ground with wide, skid-proof feet.
Keep in mind that the crib weighs just under 10kg, making it one of the heaviest compared to its competitors – the Littlelife Featherlite Travel Cot weighs just 3kg for example.
Most tend to sit in the 6-8kg weight range, such as the the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light (£199.94 on Amazon) which weighs 6kg. I have used the BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light and I find the Nuna Sena Aire easier to assemble as it has a centralised pulley system, whereas with the BabyBjorn you have to assemble all the legs individually. Also, the BabyBjorn isn’t as raised up from the ground.
How easy is it to see your baby when they’re in the Nuna Sena Aire?
It’s very easy to see my baby from every side, thanks to the grey mesh on all sides of the travel cot.
How easy is it to access your baby in the cot?
The cot is simple to access as both a crib and cot, and it offers a wide, comfortable space for my baby to sleep in.
How portable is the Nuna Sena Aire?
The cot is easy to put away by pulling up on the central hub and folding it away into a travel bag, which is included. I have also moved the cot around my house when it was fully assembled.
As the product is nearly 10kg, I think I would struggle to carry it over long distances as I’m quite small. Many customer reviews on Very and John Lewis were mainly written by grandparents, who kept the cot assembled for when their grandchildren visit.
How do you fold/unfold it?
To unfold the travel cot, you pull on the short sides of the frame and reach through the bassinet to push down on the central hub at the bottom of the travel cot.
The crib is attached by 4 clips in the corners of the travel cot and it is easy to convert from cot to crib.
How large and heavy is the travel cot when folded and unfolded?
The cot folds into an easy size to carry, although I do find it quite heavy. The unfolded cot is sizeable but can still be lifted. You can also drag it on its wide skid-proof feet without damaging any wooden floors!
How breathable is the mattress?
The foldable mattress has 2 different levels of ventilation with a triple-layered mesh, so it’s very breathable. You can even remove the plastic boards in the mattress to hand-wash it if you have an accident which is handy.
How durable does the Nuna Sena Aire feel?
The cot feels very sturdy and durable with an 8-leg frame. The material is thick and excellent quality. It definitely feels like a good investment that you could get years of use from, and it also has a free 2-year guarantee.
How easy is the Nuna Sena Aire to clean?
It's quite simple to clean. Nuna recommends spot-cleaning the cot with a sponge and mild soapy water as the covering material is not removable. You can remove the plastic boards in the mattress to hand-wash that.
What’s in the box?
- The cot/crib
- Mattress,
- Organic cotton sheet for the mattress
- Travel bag
- Instruction manual
What would you have wanted to know before buying the cot?
I would have wanted to know the weight of the product as it is on the heavier side. It’s something to consider if you’re looking to carry the cot as hand luggage.
What's your favourite design element?
The ability to assemble the cot using one hand is particularly brilliant. There is absolutely no stress involved. Like many new mums, I have suffered from problems with my back and I love being able to use the crib as I don’t have to reach down as far to pick up my baby.
Does it offer good value for money?
The crib is priced at £180 from retailers such as John Lewis. Although it is one of the more expensive travel products on the market, you get amazing quality, design and peace of mind, so I feel it’s worth the investment. It’ll also take you through from newborn to toddler.
Are there any additional items you can buy?
As an add-on, Nuna offers a changer accessory (£50) so you can change your little one’s nappy on the cot and the brand also sells insect nets (£25).
Where can I buy the Nuna Sena Aire?
It's available from Nuna, John Lewis and Very.
The Nuna Sena Aire travel cot is a high-end, luxurious product – well worth the investment if you are a regular traveller. Enabling you to have a cot, crib and play area for your child, it is also extremely easy to set up and fold away, with a sleek and safe design. I found the cot to be quite heavy, which is its only disadvantage, but overall it is an impressive piece of kit.
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