Looking for the best travel cot or portacot in NZ? This is the local guide to lightweight travel cots, sturdy portacots and pop-up options, from premium picks like BabyBjörn to NZ-designed favourites like the Phil and Teds Traveller, all tested by kiwi mums.
If you are looking for the best travel cot or portacot in NZ, the right choice depends on whether you are flying with a newborn, road tripping with a toddler, kitting out the grandparents’ house, or just trying to sleep through the holidays without buying a second cot at the destination. The good news is the New Zealand travel cot market has come a long way, with options now ranging from rapid-assembly premium models to genuinely good budget picks under $150.
This is our local guide to the best travel cots and portacots in New Zealand for 2026, sorted by what you are actually shopping for. Lightweight options for flying, sturdy choices for grandparents, and budget-friendly picks for occasional use. Every cot below is available through NZ retailers with current NZD pricing where possible.
If you are also still finalising your travel kit, you might like our guide to the best travel prams in NZ and our hospital bag checklist for NZ parents.
Travel cot comparison: at a glance
| Travel cot | Type | Weight | Price (NZD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light | Travel cot | ~6kg | $474.99 to $549.95 | Frequent travellers wanting premium quality |
| Phil and Teds Traveller (v5) | Travel cot | ~3kg | $449 | Air travel and lightweight portability |
| Nuna Sena Aire | Travel cot | Mid-weight | $609 | Multi-night use and warm weather |
| Bugaboo Stardust | Pop-up | Mid-weight | $700+ | Frequent moves, pop-up convenience |
| Nuna Paal | Portacot with bassinet | Heavier | Premium tier | Newborn-to-toddler use with bassinet |
| Drift Travel Cot | Travel cot | Mid-weight | $136 | Budget-conscious occasional travel |
| 4Baby Vacation Portacot | Portacot with bassinet | Heavier | Mid-range | Grandparents’ houses, second home cot |
| Kmart Snooze Travel Portacot | Portacot | Heavier | Budget | Occasional use, tight budgets |
| Edinburgh Stars Portable Cot | Portacot with bassinet | Heavier | $119.95 (sale) | Budget portacot for travel and home backup |
Travel cot vs portacot vs pop-up cot: what’s the difference?
The terms get used interchangeably, but they cover three slightly different products.
Portacot is the traditional fold-down cot most NZ parents grew up with. Sturdy frame, fabric sides, often with a zip-in bassinet for newborns. Heavier and bulkier but more durable for ongoing use. Brands like 4Baby, Edinburgh and Joie sit here.
Travel cot is the newer, lighter category designed specifically for travel. Shorter assembly time, lighter materials, more compact fold. The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light and Phil and Teds Traveller are classic examples. Often used at home day-to-day too because they are easy to move room to room.
Pop-up cot is the most travel-friendly option of all. Unfolds in literally one second, no assembly. The Bugaboo Stardust is the premium example. Trade-off is usually a higher price point and slightly less long-term durability.
In real-world use, “travel cot” and “portacot” are used interchangeably across NZ retailers and parents. We use both terms in this guide for the same reason.
Quick picks: best travel cots and portacots in NZ
- Best overall: BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light
- Best NZ-designed: Phil and Teds Traveller (v5)
- Best for newborn airflow: Nuna Sena Aire
- Best pop-up travel cot: Bugaboo Stardust
- Best premium with bassinet: Nuna Paal
- Best budget under $150: Drift Travel Cot
- Best Kmart option: Kmart Snooze Travel Portacot
- Best for grandparents’ houses: 4Baby Vacation Portacot
- Best for flying with a baby: Phil and Teds Traveller
- Best for road tripping NZ: Nuna Sena Aire
Best travel cots and portacots in NZ
BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light
The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is widely considered the gold standard for travel cots in NZ. Often called the “Rolls Royce” of travel cots by parents who own one, it weighs around 6kg, includes a high-quality mattress and folds out in a single step. The whole thing pops up in seconds with no separate parts to faff with at midnight.
The build quality is genuinely impressive. The mesh sides give good airflow, the mattress is more substantial than most travel cots offer, and the carry bag is sturdy enough to actually survive baggage handlers.
The trade-off is the price, which sits at the premium end of the NZ market. For families who travel often or want one cot to do everything for several years, the cost works out per use. For occasional travel, there are cheaper options that do the job.
Price: $474.99 to $549.95 NZD (Kiwi Chemist or The Sleep Store) Weight: Approximately 6kg Best for: Frequent travellers wanting premium quality
Phil and Teds Traveller (v5)
The Phil and Teds Traveller is a New Zealand-designed favourite that flies under the radar internationally but is consistently one of the best-loved travel cots among Kiwi parents. The standout feature is weight. At around 3kg without the mattress, it is one of the lightest travel cots on the market, and packs down small enough to fit in airline cabin baggage.
The frame is genuinely portable in a way most travel cots aren’t. You can carry it across an airport in one hand without hating your life. Setup takes a couple of minutes once you have done it a few times. The mattress is thinner than premium models like the BabyBjörn, but for occasional travel use this is fine.
For parents who fly internationally with babies, this is the cot most often recommended in NZ parenting groups.
Price: Around $449 NZD at The Sleep Store Weight: Approximately 3kg (without mattress) Best for: Air travel and lightweight portability
Nuna Sena Aire
The Nuna Sena Aire is the travel cot for parents who prioritise airflow and design. Its Advanced Air Design uses 360-degree mesh panels for maximum breathability, which matters more than you might think during NZ summer travel or in warmer rooms.
The one-handed fold mechanism is genuinely impressive. You can collapse it while holding a baby, which is a small thing that becomes a big thing at 11pm in a holiday rental. The included Dream Drape sun cover is a nice touch for daytime naps in bright spaces. It is heavier than the Phil and Teds but more comfortable as a longer-term sleep solution.
This is the travel cot to choose if your baby will sleep in it for multiple nights at a time, rather than just for short trips.
Price: Around $609 NZD at Dimples Best for: Multi-night use and warm weather travel
Bugaboo Stardust
The Bugaboo Stardust is the premium pop-up travel cot, and it lives up to the brand reputation. The whole thing unfolds in one second. Not a metaphor. Genuinely one second. The built-in mattress means there is no separate piece to assemble, lose or pack, and the design quality is the polished Bugaboo aesthetic.
For families who move between locations frequently or for grandparents who want a cot that comes out of the cupboard ready to use, the Stardust is in a category of its own. The trade-off is price, which sits firmly at the premium end.
Price: Premium tier (typically $700+ NZD), often stocked by Baby Bunting NZ Best for: Frequent moves and pop-up convenience
Nuna Paal
The Nuna Paal is the premium portacot with a zip-in bassinet for newborns. The bassinet level reduces back strain when lifting a tiny baby in and out, which is genuinely a quality-of-life issue in the first few months. As baby grows, the bassinet zips out and the main level becomes the cot.
Build quality is what you would expect from Nuna. Solid, well-considered, designed to last. The Paal is heavier than pure travel cots like the Phil and Teds, which makes it better suited to grandparents’ houses, holiday homes or as a second cot at home rather than something you fly with regularly.
Best for: Newborn-to-toddler use with bassinet feature
Drift Travel Cot
The Drift Travel Cot is the value pick that genuinely delivers. Recommended by The Sleep Store as a high-value option, it meets New Zealand and Australian safety standards (AS/NZS 2195), assembles easily, and works for the vast majority of casual travel needs. At around $136 NZD, it is a fraction of the price of premium options without the corner-cutting that often comes with budget travel cots.
For families who travel occasionally rather than constantly, this is the sweet spot. You get a safe, functional travel cot that will see you through the toddler years without spending Phil and Teds money.
Price: $136 NZD at The Sleep Store Best for: Budget-conscious occasional travel
4Baby Vacation Portacot
The 4Baby Vacation Portacot is one of the most commonly bought portacots in New Zealand, frequently stocked at Baby Bunting NZ and Babies.co.nz. It is a more traditional portacot in style. Heavier than dedicated travel cots, but sturdier for ongoing use, with a bassinet level for newborns.
This is the portacot most NZ grandparents own, and for good reason. It handles being assembled and disassembled repeatedly without falling apart, the price point is accessible, and it works well as a “spare bedroom cot” for visiting grandkids.
Best for: Grandparents’ houses and as a second home cot
Kmart Snooze Travel Portacot
The Kmart Snooze Travel Portacot is the most accessible travel cot in NZ. Available at every Kmart in the country, it is the budget option for parents who need something for occasional weekend trips, in-laws stays, or short holidays without committing to a $400+ purchase.
It is not luxury. The mattress is thin, the materials are basic, and it is heavier than premium travel cots. But it does the job for short stays, meets NZ safety standards, and at the Kmart price point it is hard to argue against having one.
Price: Budget tier, available at Kmart NZ Best for: Occasional use and tight budgets
Edinburgh Stars Portable Cot
The Edinburgh Stars Portable Cot is a Baby Factory exclusive that quietly punches above its weight. Often around $119.95 on sale, it includes a bassinet level for newborns and a main cot level for older babies, in a more traditional portacot format.
This is the practical, no-frills option for families who want a portacot that works for both travel and as a backup at home, without paying premium prices. Build quality is what you would expect at this price point, but it does what it needs to do.
Price: Approximately $119.95 NZD on sale at Baby Factory Best for: First-time parents wanting a portacot that handles both travel and home backup
Travel cot vs full cot for newborns: what do you actually need?
A common question among NZ parents is whether a newborn can sleep in a travel cot full-time. The short answer is yes, provided the cot meets New Zealand safety standards (AS/NZS 2195) and the mattress is firm and properly fitting.
The longer answer involves trade-offs. Travel cots and portacots are designed for travel, which means the mattresses are usually thinner than full cot mattresses. For occasional use this is fine. For night-after-night sleep over months, most NZ parents choose to invest in a proper cot at home and use the travel cot for trips and grandparents’ houses.
If your living situation means you genuinely need one cot to do both jobs (rental properties, smaller homes, families on the move), the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light and Nuna Sena Aire are the two travel cots most often recommended for full-time newborn sleep, because their mattresses are closer to full cot quality.
Best travel cot for grandparents’ houses
This is one of the most underserved use cases in NZ, and one of the most common reasons people buy a travel cot. If grandparents are buying a cot for visiting grandkids, the priorities are different to a parent buying for travel:
- Easy setup and pack down matters more than light weight, because the cot will live folded in a cupboard between visits
- Sturdiness over portability because it will be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without ever leaving the house
- Bassinet level helpful for visits with newborns
For grandparents, the 4Baby Vacation Portacot and Nuna Paal are usually the right answer. Both have bassinet levels, both are sturdy enough for repeated use, and neither is so expensive that it feels disproportionate for occasional grandkid visits.
The Bugaboo Stardust is the luxury answer if grandparents are bigger spenders, because the one-second pop-up means the cot literally comes out of the cupboard ready to use.
Best travel cot for flying
If you are flying with a baby, weight and fold size are the two factors that matter more than anything else.
Cabin baggage compliance: The Phil and Teds Traveller folds small enough to fit in standard cabin baggage allowances, which means you avoid checked baggage fees and the risk of damage. Most other travel cots, including the BabyBjörn, are designed to be checked.
Weight: Below 4kg is genuinely portable. Above 6kg starts to feel heavy when you are also carrying a baby, a nappy bag and your own luggage through an airport.
Setup speed: When you arrive somewhere new at 10pm with an overtired baby, a 30-second setup matters. The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, Bugaboo Stardust and Phil and Teds Traveller all win here.
For full airline-by-airline pram and stroller policy info, our flying with a pram NZ guide covers Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and more.
What to look for when buying a travel cot in NZ
Before committing to a travel cot or portacot, think through the following.
Safety standards. Make sure any cot you buy meets the AS/NZS 2195 standard for portable cots. This is non-negotiable, especially for second-hand cots. If you cannot confirm the standard, do not buy it.
Weight and fold size. If flying is a regular use case, prioritise sub-4kg cots that fold to cabin size. If it is mostly road trips and grandparents’ houses, weight matters less than sturdiness.
Setup time. A cot that takes five minutes to assemble is fine for a one-week holiday. For shorter or more frequent trips, look for one-step or pop-up models.
Mattress quality. Travel cot mattresses are almost always thinner than full cot mattresses. The premium models (BabyBjörn, Nuna) have noticeably better mattresses than budget options. If your baby will sleep in the cot for multiple nights at a time, this matters.
Bassinet feature. If you are buying for a newborn, a zip-in bassinet level is genuinely useful for the first few months. The Nuna Paal, 4Baby Vacation and Edinburgh Stars all include this. Most pure travel cots do not.
Age range and weight limit. Most NZ travel cots are suitable from birth to around 15kg or three years. Check the specifications, especially if you have a tall toddler.
Carry bag. A surprisingly common weak point. Cheap carry bags fall apart after a couple of trips. Premium travel cots come with sturdier bags that actually survive use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a travel cot and a portacot in NZ? The terms are used interchangeably in New Zealand. Technically, a portacot is the more traditional fold-down style with a frame and fabric sides, while a travel cot is usually lighter and designed specifically for travel. In practice, NZ retailers and parents use both words for the same category of product.
How much does a travel cot cost in NZ? Travel cots in New Zealand range from around $99 for budget Kmart and Baby Factory options to over $700 for premium models like the Bugaboo Stardust. Most quality travel cots that meet NZ safety standards sit between $130 and $550, with the sweet spot for most families around $250 to $450.
Are travel cots safe for newborns? Yes, provided the travel cot meets the AS/NZS 2195 safety standard and the mattress is firm and properly fitting. Many travel cots and portacots also include a zip-in bassinet level designed specifically for newborns. The Nuna Paal, 4Baby Vacation and Edinburgh Stars all include bassinet levels.
Can a baby sleep in a travel cot every night? Yes, but most parents do not. Travel cot mattresses are usually thinner than full cot mattresses, which is fine for trips but less ideal for night-after-night sleep over months. If your situation requires one cot to do both jobs, the BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light and Nuna Sena Aire have the closest-to-full-cot mattress quality.
What is the best travel cot for flying? The Phil and Teds Traveller is the most flight-friendly travel cot available in NZ, weighing around 3kg without the mattress and folding to cabin baggage size. The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is also a strong choice if you are happy to check it.
What is the best travel cot in NZ for grandparents? The 4Baby Vacation Portacot and Nuna Paal are the two most commonly recommended for grandparents’ houses, because both include bassinet levels for newborn visits and are sturdy enough to handle repeated assembly. The Bugaboo Stardust is the premium pop-up option.
Do travel cots meet NZ safety standards? Reputable travel cots sold in New Zealand meet the AS/NZS 2195 standard for portable cots. Always confirm before buying, especially if you are buying second-hand or from an overseas retailer. Major NZ stockists like The Sleep Store, Baby Bunting NZ and Baby Factory only stock cots that meet the standard.
How long do travel cots last? Most travel cots are suitable from birth to around three years (or 15kg). Premium models like the BabyBjörn and Nuna can be passed between siblings if well-maintained. Budget travel cots may show wear after one or two children.
What is the lightest travel cot in NZ? The Phil and Teds Traveller (v5) is one of the lightest travel cots available in New Zealand at approximately 3kg without the mattress. The BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light is around 6kg, which is still considered lightweight in the category.
Can you take a travel cot on a plane? Yes. Most airlines allow travel cots as either checked baggage (often as part of your free baby gear allowance) or cabin baggage if they fold small enough. The Phil and Teds Traveller is the most reliable cabin-size travel cot available in NZ. Always check your specific airline’s policies before flying.
Where to buy a travel cot in NZ
The main NZ retailers stocking travel cots and portacots are:
- The Sleep Store — strong range of premium and mid-range options
- Baby Bunting NZ — broadest selection, with car seat fitting nearby
- Baby Factory — good for budget-friendly options including Edinburgh Stars
- Babies.co.nz — solid mid-range and budget portacots
- Kiwi Chemist — surprisingly good for premium brands like BabyBjörn
- Dimples — premium brand stockist including Nuna
- Kmart NZ — entry-level Snooze portacot
For a full guide to baby retailers in your area, see our best baby shops in Christchurch guide (most of these brands ship NZ-wide).
Last updated April 2026. Prices and availability correct at time of writing and may have changed since publication. Always confirm current pricing and safety certifications with the retailer before purchasing.
Images credited to respective bussineses
