Intoduction
It goes without saying that every baby and toddler needs a playpen to keep them lively and help with their development as they play.
Table of Contents
There is a wide variety of playpens available as produced by different manufacturers, which makes it quite a task to choose the best one for your baby.
This article will help you get to a decision about the best playpen for your baby.
Guide to buying a baby playpen
Before choosing a playpen for your baby, there are some important factors that you need to consider.
They include:
The number of panels.
This is important as it determines the size of the playpen.
You do not want a playpen that is too big such that it covers the entire living room space.
You want a playpen that covers just enough space for the baby to play comfortably.
This may be a very critical factor especially if your living space is not very big.
For families with a big living space, this may not be much of a problem.
Another reason why you need to consider the number of panels is that they determine whether or not you can adjust the shape of the playpen.
The more the panels, the more the possibility of you customizing the shape of the pen.
The material of the frame
You need to consider the type of material you want for the pen.
Consider the pros and cons of each material, and bear in mind that some materials pose harm.
The material the frame is made of will also determine its stability and durability.
Determine whether you want a plastic frame, a steel one, a wooden one or a polycarbonate one.
Portability
This is another critical factor that you need to consider.
You do not want to get a playpen that is either too heavy or too big to be carried around.
How about when you want to take it outside for the baby to play outdoors?
Or when the family is going out and you want the baby to have fun too but you cannot because the playpen is too big to fit into the trunk of the car?
Not a good idea.
This is why you need to consider the portability of the pen before purchasing it.
On this note, you also need to consider the ease with which you can store the playpen.
Choose a playpen that can easily fold into a small-sized item to be stored away safely and easily without consuming a lot of space.
Ease with which you can set it up
Be sure to choose a panel which you can easily set up and fold down.
You may not want to go for a panel that requires a lot of time and energy to put or fold down.
Many playpens are easy to put up and fold down when you follow the instructions on the manual. Choose such a playpen.
We shall look at the best playpens in 2020 in detail and analyze their pros and cons to help you make this important decision.
Top 5
Regalo My Play Portable Playard
The Regalo My Play Portable Playard has been ranked as the best playpen overall.
It will most likely become a fixture in your home.
It comes in handy when you are preparing a meal, cleaning the house, folding laundry, putting away groceries or keeping visitors entertained.
Generally, it is most useful when you cannot give the baby your full attention and need to do a task.
It also provides safety for your baby as it keeps them from putting everything in their mouth, as most babies do.
It is therefore good both for convenience and safety.
However, its main selling point is convenience.
This is because of its light weight and the ease with which it collapses.
It takes seconds to collapse and actually gets folded into a tube, which you can store easily because of the size.
Once it has collapsed, you can store it in a closet or under a bed, or even behind a door.
The collapsing also does not require a lot of effort.
It can actually be done using one hand if you are used to it.
The Regalo My Play Portable Playard weighs less than fourteen pounds, making it quite portable.
Setting up the playpen also takes a short while and does not require much effort.
You may need to use your foot for locking the steel frame, but this is not much work.
It has been made perfectly with a see-through mesh for the walls and smooth, durable nylon for the floor which is safe for your baby.
The walls make it possible for you to monitor your baby as he plays.
The smooth nylon floor on the other hand ensures that the baby gets no injuries while playing and crawling.
The baby can also lie on the floor if they wish (and as they most definitely will do) without getting harmed.
It is also possible for you to wipe clean the floor if the baby dirties it.
This ensures that your baby has a clean environment to play in, at all times!
Another reason as to why you should buy the Regalo My Play Portable Playard is the favorable price it comes with.
It is affordable and totally worth its price.
Pros of Regalo My Play Portable Playard
It is easy to set up. As stated above, the playpen is so easy to set up and also to break down. It does not require so much effort from you and practically anyone, even those who have not handled a playpen before, can set it up and break it down.
It is lightweight. It weighs less than fourteen pounds. You will therefore not need to use a lot of energy to move it from one place to another.
It is quite portable. The Regalo My Play Portable Playard collapses into a small-sized tubular shape. This makes it less cumbersome to move around and to store. You will not lack a place to store it because of the size and shape. You can even store it in a car trunk. It does not require a lot of space for storage.
It comes at a good price. It is not expensive, which helps you save some money that you would have otherwise used on getting an expensive playpen.
It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. It is not limiting, you can easily carry it in the car after folding it to use it elsewhere, including at the beach! It is also good for indoor usage.
Cons
Its walls are made of a see-through mesh which is not very durable as it can easily get torn. This will make you keep repairing or replacing the mesh, which will require money and energy that you would not have spent had you gotten another kind of playpen.
It is lightweight and hence can easily fall over when the baby is playing.
North States Superyard Ultimate
The most amazing feature of this playpen is that it comes with a gate. This keeps the child in a safe confine.
The gate also saves you the trouble of having to lean the playpen on the side.
It ensures your baby is safe inside.
This gives it an advantage above other playpens which do not come with gates.
It is quite a unique and useful feature.
You will not have to lean over the side so that you can put your kid in or out of the playpen.
The gate is wide enough to have you get in and out to put your baby in or out or to hand them a book or a toy effortlessly.
You are also at liberty to enter the playpen and sit with your baby for a while as he plays, crawls or tries to read.
It is also big enough to accommodate the free movement of the baby inside.
Also, if the provided 18.5 square feet that the playpen has is not enough for the baby to play freely, there is an option of getting additional panels to expand it.
These additional panels are sold separately, but will do you good if you want your baby to be happy.
The North States Superyard Ultimate is also made of plastic panels which are durable and have the ability to withstand all sorts of things that your baby might subject them to.
This includes kicks, spit-ups, and spills.
It lasts years and will still be in good shape much later.
You can use it for other kids who may come later after the one using it outgrows it.
One thing you must note when setting up this playpen is that if you are setting it up on surfaces that are hard like a wooden floor, use non-slip pads.
This will ensure that the playpen does not slip on the floor.
It also ensures the safety of your child s they will be able to play freely without having the playpen slip.
Pros of the North States Superyard Ultimate Playpen
It has a gate which makes accessing it easy. The gate is also wide enough to accommodate a grown-up’s entrance with the child. The gate also ensures you do not have to keep bending over and having the playpen lean on the side. It makes it easier to manage it and also get the baby in and out of it effortlessly.
It comes with non-slip pads. These ensure that your playpen does not slip when used on hard and slippery surfaces such as tiled and wooden floors. The good thing about this is that it ensures the safety of your child as he plays. Nobody wants their baby falling over while playing because the playpen slid! Also, it ensures you do not have to keep moving it into place as it keep sliding on the floor.
It is suitable for outdoor use. Not all playpens are suitable for outdoor use. But the North States Superyard Ultimate Playpen is ideal for outdoor use, thanks to its durability. It can withstand conditions outside and at the same time accommodate the baby perfectly well.
Its plastic panels are durable and not prone to breaking. This ensures that you can use it for long without having to replace it. Also, if you are planning to have more than one baby, this is the perfect playpen for you. You can use it on the subsequent babies once the older ones outgrow it. This is all possible because of its durability.
It is expandable. You can add additional panels to it to make it bigger if the space is limiting your baby from playing freely. This will also come in handy as your baby grows. It will take quite a while before he outgrows the playard.
Cons
It gets bulky when you fold it down. This makes it cumbersome to move it from one place to another, unlike the Regalo My Play Portable Playard.
It is a bit heavy as compared to the Regalo playpen. The weight also makes it difficult to move it from one place to another.
Setting it up is not as easy as setting up the Regalo Playard. It has a gate which may make it a bit difficult to set it up and to fold it down.
The plastic panels can break when mishandled. After breaking this may pose danger to your baby because of the sharp edges that are left on the plastic by the breakage. Repairing it may also not be so easy and replacement will cost you some money.
It requires a lot of space for storage. It does not fold into a tubular shape like the Regalo Playard; hence you may need a lot more space to store it. This may be a bit inconveniencing if you do not have a big house or a lot of space.
The additional panels come at an additional cost as you will have to purchase them separately. This creates unnecessary additions to your budget.
The Delta Children Portable Playard
The Delta Children Portable Playard is reduced into a very small item when folded down.
It also has a mattress bump which gives the baby protection from bumps in case they topple over.
The mattress also makes the play space very cozy and comfortable for the baby and is a plus when they want to take a nap.
Besides, it has a very impressive shape – square – unlike most other playpens that are either octagon or hexagon in shape.
This is the most unique feature of this playpen.
There is nothing wrong with having a hexagon or octagon shaped playpen.
However, these are only ideal if you have enough space in your house to place the playpens which will definitely consume a lot of space.
The Delta Children Portable Playard ensures your baby has fun in the house even if you do not have so much space.
This is because its square shape consumes much less space, and yet is big enough to accommodate your baby.
The square shape also makes it possible for you to tuck it in a corner or slide it against a wall or couch.
When not using it, the playpen can be folded into a very small item that you can store under the bed or in a closet.
You can also put in the car trunk if you are planning to out with the baby.
However, moving it so you can store it or set it up can pose a challenge because of its weight.
The playpen weighs about thirty pounds which is not light.
Moving it up and down the stairs can be quite difficult and you may need help to do that.
Pros of Delta Children Portable Playard
It is square in shape, which saves space. It uses up less space as compared to the other playards which are hexagon or octagon in shape. You have the option of placing it neatly against a wall or couch without it being so noticeable by taking up so much space.
Its size (3 feet by 3 feet) also ensures that it does not consume so much space. This is unlike the other playpens like the North States Superyard Ultimate playard which is 18.5 square feet, for example.
It is does not require much effort and prowess to set up or fold down because it is quite easy to do so. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions on the manual and there you have your playpen. It also takes very little time to set it up and to fold it down.
It comes with a mattress pad which is very soft. This ensures the safety of your baby as they play or nap in the playard. The baby will not get injured if they topple over or fall in the playard.
Cons
It is rather heavy. Thirty pounds is not such a light weight for you to keep lifting. Hence, moving it from place to place may not be a very easy task. In fact, you may require help when moving it say on stairs or over a long distance.
The fact that it comes with a mattress makes it difficult to clean in case of spit-outs and if the baby wets it while napping. It is unlike the Regalo playpen which comes with a nylon floor that is quite easy to clean.
The 3 by 3 feet space may not be enough playing space for your baby. Unfortunately, there is no way of expanding the space without damaging the playpen, unlike the North States Superyard Ultimate playpen.
Its small space also makes it quickly outgrown by the baby hence the baby may not be able to use it for a long time as they grow.
It is limited for use only by children who weigh less than thirty pounds and stand at less than thirty-five inches tall. This tells you that your baby may not use it for long because babies grow really fast. It becomes useless after your baby outgrows it, and now you have to go looking for another type of playpen for your baby.
Evenflo Versatile Play Space
This playpen has 18.5 square feet play area but the good thing about it is that it can be expanded.
This is definitely too big to be put up in the house. It will most likely have you put it up in the open, outside.
You can have the 18.5 square foot size in the house, but with the expansion, you may need to do it outside.
Now, imagine how happy your baby will be to have such a big playing space outdoors.
He will have so much fun!
Another good feature about Evenflo Versatile Play Space is that it is versatile.
The panels can be removed to come up with a smaller playpen, while others can also be added to come up with a bigger playpen.
Therefore, you can adjust the playpen depending on the child’s size and stage of development, or simply as you please.
Larger space also makes it safer for the baby to play.
Besides, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
It has stakes to ensure it holds firmly in the soil when using it outdoors and non-scratch and anti-movement pads that you may use indoors on hardwood floors.
Both features ensure the safety of the child and see to it that you do not have to keep holding the playpen to keep it from moving.
The stakes for using outdoors also prevent it from being blown by the wind when the baby is playing outside.
Pros of Evenflo Versatile Play Space
It is versatile. You can expand it if the provided space is not enough for the baby to play comfortably and freely. The big space also gives you room to join your baby in the playpen as he plays and play with him. Bigger space also means safer playing space for the baby. It also gives the baby space to crawl and run about. This improve and quickens the child’s development.
It’s being expandable also ensures that your baby does not outgrow it quickly. Your baby can play in it for a long time before they have to do away with the playpen. This is one advantage this playpen has over other varieties of playpens.
You also have the option of reducing its size if it is too big for the baby or does not fit in your indoor space. This again has to do with the versatility. This ensures that you can have it in the house, say in the living room, when you have chores to do or while attending to visitors and still keep an eye on the baby.
It comes at a good price. You must check your budget before shopping for a playpen. Ensure that you get the best playpen that goes with your planned budget.
It is easy to use. This playpen is so easy to set up and to fold down. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the manual. The baby will also not have trouble while playing in it because of its simplicity.
It is ideal for use both indoors and outdoors. It comes with great support features for both indoor and outdoor use. For outdoor use, it has stakes that ensure it is held firmly in the soil. For indoor use, it has anti-movement pads that keep it from sliding when placed on the floor.
It is durable. It is made of durable material that ensures it is used for a long time before it can be done away with. It gives you the option of using it on subsequent babies, if you are planning on getting more.
Cons
You are required to purchase additional panels separately, at an additional cost. This may mess up your budget if you had not planned for it. Besides, you may never have to use these additional panels if your baby finds the provided space to be enough.
It requires a lot of space, which many families may not have. Hence, you may only use it outdoors if you do not have enough space in the house to accommodate it.
It does not come with a floor. Therefore, if you set it up for your child outside the house, it may pose danger to them as they play because they might fall on the rough ground and get scratches. You must therefore be keen on where you are setting it up for your baby to avoid them getting hurt.
The fact that it does not have a floor also makes it not so good for outdoor use on days when it has rained. You don’t want your child getting all wet and muddy.
It is a bit heavy therefore carrying it from place to place is a bit cumbersome. It is also a bit big, making storage to be quite a task.
Some argue that it is not firm or sturdy enough for older children to climb. Some children enjoy climbing it like a ladder. The fact that it is not sturdy enough makes them fall down as they try to climb.
Jaxpety 8 Panel Safety Play Center Yard
- MOM'S LIFESAVER: Keep baby safe in there play activity centre when mom/dad needs to cook, clean up, go to the bathroom, etc.
- STURDY HOLDING: Specially designed anti-slip rubber feet underneath of the yard so the parts don't go sliding around.And We added the Anti-stick arm design in the picture to make the baby playpen more stable
- COVERS A LARGE AREA: It is a great amount of play space for baby to learn walk and even laying with baby in it for play time. Total dimensions is 59x59x23.6inches.
The Jaxpety 8 panel safety play center yard is a good option for both indoor and outdoor use.
The good thing about this playard is that it comes with many colors that enable your baby to learn colors as he plays.
The baby is able to engage cognitive ability. It is also fun for the baby since the walls have active boards that help keep the baby busy when he does not want to play.
Besides, you can adjust the pen into any shape you want, whether triangle, hexagon, rectangle, among many other shapes.
This is made able by the fact that the panels are so easy to adjust.
The playpen also has an integrated door, which ensures that its performance is superior to that of other cheaper yards.
It is also sturdy enough for floor installation.
It can be installed on hardwood floors, tiled floors and carpeted floors.
It is good with all of them because of its weighty nature.
The ease with which you will set it up or fold it is also a plus.
The simplicity of how it can and should be operated is just awesome.
Pros of Jaxpety Play Yard
Its panels are sleekly colored. They actually come in many colors, which will help your baby learn colors and engage in other cognitive ability activities as he plays.
It has strong suction cups, which place it above other ordinary playpens that do not have such strong suction cups.
You can configure it into multiple shapes to excite your baby and keep them from being bored. Besides, your baby will also be able to learn different shapes from the configurations.
It is good for hardwood floors because of its sturdy nature. It can be easily installed and its sturdiness will ensure that it does not slide over, keeping the baby safe as he plays.
Its sturdy nature makes it safe for the baby to play freely and keeps you from worrying that he might hit it and cause it to fall over.
It gives the baby enough playing space in the pen as it is big enough. It has eight panels. This ensures the baby can crawl about freely without feeling limited to little space.
Setting it up and folding it down is easy and can be done without much prowess, if you follow the instructions on the manual.
Cons
It takes up a lot of space. Having eight panels means a lot of space is used once you set it up. This may be disadvantageous to families that do not have so much space in the house. Because of this limitation, you may only have to use it outdoors.
It is rather weighty therefore moving it around may not be so easy.
