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Dream On Me Travel Light Playard Review

This is not a travel crib and shouldn't be used for sleeping
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Dream On Me Travel Light Playard Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $135 List
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Manufacturer:   Dream On Me
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Research Analyst  ⋅  Mar 3, 2021
59
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 8
  • Ease of Use - 35% 5.0
  • Portability - 30% 8.0
  • Comfort - 15% 4.0
  • Quality - 15% 7.0
  • EcoHealth - 5% 1.0

Our Verdict

The Dream On Me Travel Light Playard is not a travel crib, and this could be misleading for consumers, as it was for us, because it looks like other travel cribs! After researching a variety of competitors, we picked the Dream on Me as a contender for travel crib as it frequently comes up in several reviews and purchase sites in the travel crib category. As it looks similar to other cribs on the market, we falsely assumed it was a travel crib. After testing and further research, we discovered the product we bought and tested is not suitable for sleeping babies and the company says it is only appropriate for “brief naps with adult supervision,” and little ones should be moved to an appropriate sleep space as soon as possible. We think many parents will be as confused as we were, which is why we left this product in the review. This product should only be used as a play yard, and it should not be used as a sleeping space for any child of any age.
REASONS TO BUY
Fits well in the carry bag
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Not for sleeping
Longer setup
Not machine washable

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Travel Crib
Best Value Award
Best Portable Crib on a Budget
Best Value Award
Good Longterm Value
 
Price $135 List
$99.99 at Amazon		$300 List
$199.99 at Amazon		$120 List$80 List$185 List
$149.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
59
83
69
52
47
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A less expensive play yard but it isn't suitable for sleeping according to the manufacturerEco-healthy crib that is easy to use, cozy and portableEasy on the wallet travel solution that sets up quickly and has an easy access side zipperAverage option for the budget savvy but is somewhat heavy and largeNice quality and fairly comfy but too heavy for easy portability
Rating Categories Dream On Me Light P... BabyBjorn Travel Cr... Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen Graco Pack 'n Play... Joovy Room2
Ease of Use (35%)
5.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Portability (30%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
2.0
Comfort (15%)
4.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
Quality (15%)
7.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
9.0
EcoHealth (5%)
1
10.0
1
1
1
Specs Dream On Me Light P... BabyBjorn Travel Cr... Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen Graco Pack 'n Play... Joovy Room2
Weight 10.6 lbs 12.8 lbs 10.25 lbs 20.3 lbs (includes bassinet) 26.8 lbs
Crib Dimensions - assembled 26"H x 24"L x 31"W 25.5"H x 43.8"L x 32.5"W 27.5"H x 46"L x 30.5"W 28.8"H x 41.1"L x 28.6"W 30.8"H x 42.3"L x 40.3"W
Crib Dimensions - closed 20"H x 24"L x 6"W 19.5"H x 23.6"L x 6.6"W 22"H x 24"L x 7"W 10.6"H x 27.7"L x 10.3"W 10.2"H x 37"L x 10.2"W
Age/Height/Weight Limit 35" or 30 lbs 3 Years or
35"		 39" or 33 lbs ~3 Years 35" or
30 lbs		 35"
Special Features None Removeable Fabric Removable Fabric, Side Zipper Opening Bassinet, Toy Bar, Storage Bag Fitted Sheet
Cleaning Method Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean
Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean		 Mattress Fabric: Machine Wash
Travel Crib Fabric: Machine Wash		 Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean
Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean		 Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean
Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean		 Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean
Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean
Flame Retardant Free Not Specified Yes (Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified) Not Specified No Not Specified
Set Up Time 2:36 min:sec 1:37 min:sec 1:01 min:sec 1:47 min:sec 2:43 min:sec
Warranty None 2 Years None 1 Year 2 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Dream On Me company started as a small store in New Jersey in 1988. Over the years, the company has worked to provide products for families that make parenthood easier. They strive to create good quality products at fair prices to help parents through the stages of babyhood.

Performance Comparison



dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


This play yard is more challenging to use than the competition, and it didn't perform well compared to similar designs. This unit takes almost twice as long as the easier competition to set up with a time of 2:36. We like that the mattress attachment is a buckle instead of Velcro and feel it sits firmer in the base than some competitors. In short, it takes more time to set up and take down than most of the other options in the review. The cover is also not machine washable.

NOT a Travel Crib
We cannot state enough that this product is not a travel crib and is not rated as safe for sleeping. Even the manufacturer in answering questions states it is not for long-duration or unsupervised sleeping (i.e., overnight). They say children should be moved to an appropriate sleep surface shortly after falling asleep inside the product. We worry that this product's similarity to popular travel cribs will cause confusion that could lead to potential problems.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Portability


This is a very lightweight portable play yard (not a travel crib) that folds fairly small. It is easy to take on travel, and it fits well in the carry bag it comes with. It weighs a little over 10 lbs and measures 20"H x 24"L x 6"W when in the travel bag.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


This play yard is not the most comfortable as the bottom surface is hard corrugated plastic and a polyethylene foam pad on top.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The foam is easy to compress, which results in little ones essentially sitting directly on the hard plastic. A denser foam would provide a more comfortable surface.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The Dream on Me quality is better than what you'd expect for the lower price. It is on the budget-friendly side for a play yard, and if you need a smaller play yard, it could be something to consider given the better overall quality.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

In general, all the parts and moving components are stiffer than the competition, but they feel sturdy and don't wobble. The legs are thick and sturdy, and the fabric fits the frame well. The stitching is hidden, and it uses higher quality buckles, where other products use Velcro. It doesn't have any zippers or other connectors, so there is less worry about breaking components. The fabric isn't as friendly as we'd like, and little ones may find it less touch-friendly than the competition.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Eco-health


As most companies concerned about eco-health like to brag about their efforts, we did not find any such bragging for the Dream on Me. There is nothing on their website, product page, or the product itself to indicate any special consideration for using healthier materials for babies.

dream on me travel light playard
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This leads us to assume that they do not use materials with eco-health in mind. The tag on the mattress says 100% polyethylene foam, which is typically slightly better than polyurethane for off-gassing. Still, we have no details or further information about any component used in this product.

Manufacturer Video



— Wendy Schmitz
 
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