The 10 Best Baby Playpens
Special Honors
California Beach Company Portable Taking this model with you on a trip to the shore will prove helpful on a number of fronts, especially when it comes to protecting your little treasure from the sand. Not only will it keep them away from its heat, it will also limit overall exposure, so they're less likely to get any of that tiny glass in their eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. They pop up with tremendous ease, and are available in three colors. thecaliforniabeachco.com
Editor's Notes
April 28, 2020:
One of the selling points of the 4Moms model we removed from our list had been its changing surface, but it turned out to have a maximum capacity of 18 pounds. Now, that might be enough for a majority of babies, but it both implies that tots won't be able to use it as they get older, and that if a child approaches that weight limit at a very young age, it could prove unsafe.
In its place, we included a foldable option in the Delta Children Play Yard, which lacks some of the versatility seen with pack and plays, but that offers a nice, sturdy model for use in the house. One thing to note about this model is that it's not particularly portable, though it does break down easily for storage if you have a small home or apartment.
If, on a similar note, you need something the size of which can change with the environment or with the group of kids inside it, the Costzon Activity Center and the North States Superyard make decent options. Just keep in mind that they're predominantly made of plastics, so if you have kids that are constantly trying to escape from their pens, these hard-sided models can be slightly more hazardous. Whatever model you choose, remember that it's not a license to leave your child unattended, and that you should always keep an eye on them, even in the safety of a pen.