While the handy carry bag and mattress are included in the price, we think you’d need to be really into travelling to get good use out of the Arc 2. Ruth scored each product based on each criteria below, with the highest scoring coming out on top as the overall winner. Honourable mentions were then given to nine other top-performing beds. Safety and stability The first factor that you can look at is the brand. Often we can get a really good understanding of the quality of toys and other gadgets by just looking at the brand. There are some brands that are really well known for great quality, whilst others might be better known for value.(and some are known to be poor in both areas). Age - Most travel cots can be used from birth, and many come with an in-built bassinet to make things a little cosier for very small babies. Travel cots can usually be used up till the age of three or until the child is able to climb out - at which point it's no longer safe to use.

Quality, as you’d imagine is one of the most important considerations for buying any products. This is especially true for Travel cots. When we’re abroad it’s reassuring to know that Rosie is sleeping safely, protected from bugs and mosquitos, thanks to the mosquito mesh. With the additional sun shade, the Arc travel cot also doubles as a sun or play tent for safe play in the garden or on the beach. Value for money Thank you for reading our Littlelife Arc 2 Travel Cot review tips and guidance. As we mentioned earlier, if you do go on to buy one of these products mentioned, please do drop us a comment as it will be great help to other customers like you.Next, consider its ease of use. Are you after a traditional travel cot comprising a frame and fabric cot, or a pop-up travel cot (which might be lighter but less sturdy)? Is your travel cot compact and easy to fold away? Will it take long to assemble? The travel cots listed in this edit have all been selected for their ease of use. During the research process, she looked at the types of products available, scoured the Mumsnet forums for recommendations and spoke to baby sleep experts from The Lullaby Trust, an organisation that provides advice on safer sleep for babies.Ruth tried out each bed with her youngest child, who was 18 months old at the time of testing. She tested each for at least three nights, both at home and at the grandparents' house, which meant that all the models were subject to the same environmental factors and held a child of the same age and weight. About the author Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered Depending on the situation or your child’s preferences you can turn the Arc 2 from an open cot into a shady tent or even a playpen. Thanks to the mesh the tent is bright and airy, even when the openings are closed. The first thing we should say before we get really into the detail on the price, is to get you to think about a budget. Budgeting is a really key part of the buying process, as without a budget you might end up blowing a lot more money than you had planned to. So take a look at your finances and get a bit of an idea of how much you are willing to spend before you take too much time shopping around. Price

Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas:We also wanted to see which products might cause difficulty for people with mobility issues and which were the easiest to assemble and take down Our Arc 2 is in use regularly, even when we’re at home. We use it in the garden or on the beach as a shaded play tent, and occasionally as Rosie’s bed when guests are staying in her bedroom. Based on that price, when we compare it to the other options available, we’ve given it a price score of 9.9 out of 10. Travel cots category average cost The Little Life Arc 2 Travel Cot is their lightest and most compact travel cot, weighing in at just 2.25Kg. The Lullaby Trust says that all cots need to comply with British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards regardless of how old they are. If there is no safety standard number visible then you shouldn't buy it.

There is only one choice of colour, which is a mixture of green and silver, but this gives the travel cot a more outdoorsy feel in keeping with the Littlelife brand. On the other hand, it is perhaps the most time consuming model to assemble, but lightness and portability were more important to me. If you’re looking for a lightweight travel cot that's ideal for those grab-and-go moments, then the Arc 2 is a great choice. If, however, you’re after something that can be used in place of a regular cot, then it probably isn’t for you. While you may have dedicated a lot of time to finding the best crib, moses basket or cot bed for your child, we tend to give less thought to which travel cot to buy. But getting the best sleep possible is just as important while you're away from home, so we've put some of the best travel cots on the market through their paces. Not sure where to start? Jumaimah Hussain from Kiddies Kingdom has outlined the following key features to look out for when buying a travel cot.Your baby can use the travel cot well into their third year, so it is worth the investment,” Motherhood Coach and Baby Expert Millie Poppins told us. Your travel cot will serve a purpose until your toddler is too big or old enough to climb out. Are travel cots safe? While lugging an extra bed around might sound like a faff, if you’re staying in a hotel, visiting friends or camping with a baby in tow and chaos reigns, once you've popped up your travel cot you will breathe a sigh of relief. Babies love routine, especially when it comes to bedtime. The safe confines of a portable crib will provide a comfortable and familiar place to put your tired infant wherever you might be in the world, so everyone can get a better night's kip.