In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Lotus Travel Crib Review

Healthy and eco-friendly choice that isn't as easy to use as some
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Lotus Travel Crib Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $280 List
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Manufacturer:   Guava Family
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Oct 3, 2017
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 8
  • Ease of Use - 35% 7.0
  • Portability - 30% 8.0
  • Comfort - 15% 7.0
  • Quality - 15% 7.0
  • EcoHealth - 5% 10.0

Our Verdict

The Lotus Travel Crib is an eco-healthy, comfortable travel crib with a backpack-style carry bag for easy travel and is one of the best travel cribs in our review. This crib is one of the smallest and lightest options we tested and is a good choice for parents that want a true travel-friendly option with significant features for eco-health. The Everywhere has a GREENGUARD GOLD standard certification and is free of flame retardant chemicals commonly found in much of the competition. We like the side zippered opening and comfortable mattress of this crib, but it is only average for ease of use and you need to watch a video to learn how to fold the crib and fit it in the bag properly. While not the right choice for all families thanks to the higher price, we think it is a good choice for the health-conscious if the budget allows.
REASONS TO BUY
Eco-healthy
Portable
Comfy
REASONS TO AVOID
Average ease of use

Compare to Similar Products

 
lotus travel crib
This Product
Lotus Travel Crib
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Cool Side Open Crib
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Travel Crib
Best Value Award
Best Portable Crib on a Budget
 Best Value Award
Good Longterm Value
Price $280 List
$229.95 at Amazon
$300 List
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$120 List$135 List
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$80 List
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Bottom Line Impressive eco-health features and cozy mattress make up for harder foldingEco-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 zipperA less expensive play yard but it isn't suitable for sleeping according to the manufacturerAverage option for the budget savvy but is somewhat heavy and large
Rating Categories Lotus Travel Crib BabyBjorn Travel Cr... Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen Dream On Me Light P... Graco Pack 'n Play...
Ease of Use (35%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
Portability (30%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
Comfort (15%)
7.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
6.0
Quality (15%)
7.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
EcoHealth (5%)
10.0
10.0
1
1
1
Specs Lotus Travel Crib BabyBjorn Travel Cr... Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen Dream On Me Light P... Graco Pack 'n Play...
Weight 13.9 lbs 12.8 lbs 10.25 lbs 10.6 lbs 20.3 lbs (includes bassinet)
Crib Dimensions - assembled 25.5"H x 47.9"L x 32.1"W 25.5"H x 43.8"L x 32.5"W 27.5"H x 46"L x 30.5"W 26"H x 24"L x 31"W 28.8"H x 41.1"L x 28.6"W
Crib Dimensions - closed 12.6"H x 24.8"L x 9.3"W 19.5"H x 23.6"L x 6.6"W 22"H x 24"L x 7"W 20"H x 24"L x 6"W 10.6"H x 27.7"L x 10.3"W
Age/Height/Weight Limit 3 Years or
35"
3 Years or
35"
39" or 33 lbs ~3 Years 35" or 30 lbs 35" or
30 lbs
Special Features BackPack Straps on Carry Bag, Removeable Fabric, Fitted Sheet, Side Zipper Opening Removeable Fabric Removable Fabric, Side Zipper Opening None Bassinet, Toy Bar, Storage Bag
Cleaning Method Mattress Fabric: Machine Wash
Travel Crib Fabric: Machine Wash
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 Yes (GREENGUARD GOLD Certified) Yes (Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified) Not Specified Not Specified No
Set Up Time 2:13 min:sec 1:37 min:sec 1:01 min:sec 2:36 min:sec 1:47 min:sec
Warranty 1 Year 2 Years None None 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Guava Family company motto is that “life should be spent together.” Guava is a small family company that strives to help make parents' lives simpler and more efficient. The company designers work to create products that are safe and not cumbersome. Guava believes that if a product isn't safe enough for their children, it isn't safe enough for others. They put their product through third-party testing when possible and work with high-quality materials when possible. Guava makes a travel crib and bassinet with additional accessories.

Performance Comparison



lotus travel crib - the cool side opening on the lotus can make it more versatile or...
The cool side opening on the Lotus can make it more versatile or easier to use when trying to get your baby down for a nap.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Lotus isn't the most straightforward option you can choose. Ease of use entails setup and closing of the crib along with any included accessories.


The Lotus took just over 5 minutes to put together on our first try. This time is one of the fastest in the group. Over repeated attempts, we got our average time down to 2:13 minutes. Setting up the Lotus is easier than closing it to put in the travel bag, and it is a little difficult to get it in the bag. The crib opens by holding two sides, shaking it loose, and locking it into place.

lotus travel crib - setting the lotus up only requires a few steps and is easier than...
Setting the Lotus up only requires a few steps and is easier than some of the competition though not as quick as others.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Closing is harder, and sometimes the fold was too large to fit in the bag, and we aren't sure what we did wrong or what we did right when it fit without a problem. Later, when testing was complete, we did find a video online showing how to close the crib to easily fit it inside the bag. While this worked well, we think it is disappointing that the process requires a video tutorial and isn't more intuitive.

This crib is one of the only products with machine-washable fabric, but there are a lot of crevices where the legs connect that gunk could accumulate.

lotus travel crib - the lotus is fairly small for what it offers when open and the...
The Lotus is fairly small for what it offers when open and the compact length means it may fit where the larger product won't.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Portability


The Lotus provides excellent portability, making the Lotus one of the best options if you're traveling with your baby or smaller spaces.


With a weight of 13.9 lbs in the bag, the Lotus is one of the lightest options in the review. The product measures 12.6"H x 24.8"L x 9.3"W when folded, which makes it one of the smallest products as well.

lotus travel crib - the lotus travel crib is the only product we tested that offered a...
The Lotus Travel Crib is the only product we tested that offered a hands-free carrying option like the backpack straps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The bag can stand on end with the crib inside, and it has backpack-style straps that allow you to carry it hands-free. While probably not necessary given the lighter weight, the straps are comfortable and handy so that you can hold other things including your baby.

lotus travel crib - the mesh sides and mattress both combine to create a comfortable...
The mesh sides and mattress both combine to create a comfortable napping and playing play spot for your baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


The Lotus has more features for comfort than the average crib in this lineup.


The mattress is soft without being too soft, and it doesn't depress down to the hard bottom making it cozier than most of the competition. Guava doesn't list the mattress's contents.

lotus travel crib - the lotus mattress is thick, soft and supportive.
The Lotus mattress is thick, soft and supportive.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The side of the crib zips down and lets parents comfortably snuggle and nap with the baby or extend the play area outside the confines of the crib. This side-access can also be used to more comfortably place the baby inside instead of bending over the top of the crib.

lotus travel crib - the lotus travel crib performed well in our tests for quality with...
The Lotus Travel Crib performed well in our tests for quality with an attention to detail during construction you can see when compared to the competition. While it isn't as high-end as some of the competition it is above average and nice for the price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The Lotus is only just above average for quality, but it is pretty good for the price.


The fabric and mesh on the crib feel durable, and we didn't see any loose stitching or potential problems. The travel bag handles stitching stretches from little use, which could lead to issues down the road. The frame does wiggle a little when pushed, but it holds its ground when you press on the top rails.

lotus travel crib - while our product's zipper was fine and had no problems, at least...
While our product's zipper was fine and had no problems, at least one online reviewer mentioned a zippered malfunction with the Lotus.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

While we didn't have any issues with the product, we purchased at least one reviewer reports the zipper breaking after only six months. The zippers hold the fabric to the frame and function to open the side of the crib.

lotus travel crib - little ones can stay safe and have fun in the right travel crib/play...
Little ones can stay safe and have fun in the right travel crib/play yard.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Eco-health


The Lotus offers impressive eco-health metric results. It has a high score for the group where most failed to score higher than a 1.


This product has earned the GREENGUARD GOLD standard certification for chemical emissions and is the only travel crib to receive this certification. This product does not contain Lead, PVC, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, or heavy metals. It has low VOC and meets all flame retardant standards without chemicals. Guava offers more detailed information on the materials used in their travel crib than any of the other brands we tested.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz