For this post, I have put together a collection of the best baby playpens currently available. For more newborn best buys, see my list of baby essentials.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Venture All Stays Joy Baby Playpen
- Best Budget Buy: Hadwin Baby Playpen
- Best Wooden: Safetots Play Den Wooden All Sizes
- Best Versatile: iSafe Rest & Play Luxury Travel Cot/Playpen
Are you looking for a playpen to keep your baby safely in one place?
Table of Contents
How We Selected
In this buyer’s guide i’ll show you some of the best baby playpens which will keep them safe and entertained whilst encouraging some independent play time.
After scouring the internet and reading lots of buyers reviews, I’ve narrowed it down to some of the top playpens, to suit all tastes and budgets.
All of our picks have excellent feedback and 4-5/5 star ratings.
Keep your little one entertained with our top picks of the best baby walkers, activity tables and ball pits.
For some great baby and toddler play ideas, head to the NHS website.
Let’s get going! Here’s some of the Best Baby Playpens.
Hadwin Baby Playpen
- Made of visual mesh wall and strong all-steel frame.
- Spacious and ventilated and foldable and portable, so ideal for travel.
- Large enough to hold 3-4 babies.
- Suitable for use indoors or outdoors.
- Pros: Portable and suitable for travel, the weatherproof floor means you can use it outdoors.
- Cons: No gate, so you will need to lift your baby out.
- Consumer Score: Good reviews with 69% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Surreal Playpen for Baby and Toddlers
- Made up of 14 plastic panels which include 8 colourful side panels, 4 corner panels a door and interactive play panel.
- A fun and interactive space for a child to play.
- Pros: You can buy the panels separately to make playpen as you like, interactive.
- Cons: Not easy to dismantle and store.
- Consumer Score: Great reviews with 77% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Venture All Stars Joy Baby Playpen
- This mesh playpen with steel frames sets up and folds down in seconds.
- Comes with a padded nylon canvas weather resistant floor mat for use indoors and outdoors.
- Ideal for travel as comes in a handy bag with strap.
- Pros: Portable design means it is quick to collapse and store, weather resistant, padded for safety.
- Cons: Expensive.
- Consumer Score: Very good reviews with 87% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
- Retailers: Amazon and eBay.
BabyDan Deluxe PlayPen
- Chic looking playpen.
- The gate section can be placed anywhere within the BabyDen making it more suitable for use as a room divider.
- Comes complete with machine washable play mat.
- Pros: Can be used as a room divider as gate is moveable, neutral look.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Consumer Score: Good reviews with 75% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
- Retailers: Amazon and eBay.
Millhouse Plastic Baby Playpen with Activity Panel & Play Mats Included
- Plastic panelled playpen with interactive panel and door.
- Playpen also has interlocking mats which are secured with the gate when formed in the square shape layout
- Easy to move.
- Pros: Foldable so perfect for saving space, interlocking mats which can be wiped clean.
- Cons: Quite large.
- Consumer Score: Fab reviews with 77% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Safetots Play Den Wooden All Sizes
- Made from premium grade wood designed to compliment all home interiors.
- Can be made bigger with additional extensions.
- Pros: Looks stylish, can be extended, gate.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Consumer Score: Good reviews with 64% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
- Retailers: Amazon and eBay.
Hadwin Baby Playpen
- Freestanding and portable playpen with a PVC frame and breathable mesh cloth.
- With an ultra thick waterproof floor mat for use indoors and outdoors which is easy to clean.
- A zip-opening panel is used for the door.
- Pros: Waterproof, this one has a gate, affordable.
- Cons: No storage bag included so not ideal for travel.
- Consumer Score: Great reviews with 71% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
iSafe Rest & Play Luxury Travel Cot/Playpen
- A great dual use playpen and cot which is ideal for travel or at home.
- Comes with mattress and folds up into a carry bag for portability.
- Pros: Can double up as a cot or playpen, ideal for travel, mattress included.
- Cons: No gate so you will need to pick child up.
- Consumer Score: Fantastic reviews with 90% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
What To Consider When Buying A Baby Playpen
You will need to think about how much floorspace you have and get one of a suitable size for your room.
There are many different styles and shapes so you will find one suited to you.
You can opt for a wooden framed playpen which can be spacious and match with room decor.
Then there are the plastic playpens which are usually bright and colourful and lastly metal and fabric options which are durable and can sometimes double up as a travel cot.
FAQ’s Baby Playpens
A playpen is an enclosed play area that gives your baby or small child a safe place to play.
You can put some of their favourite toys in there so you create a small play space for them.
A playpen is usually made from wood, plastic or metal.
Most playpens are lightweight so they can be moved around easily from room to room.
It is a safe place where your child can play whilst you have a break or get on with things you need to do (whilst still keeping an eye on the child of course!)
A playpen will make your life easier if you have a child who is sitting up or on-the-go and it will also give your baby some independence so they learn to play on their own.
Anywhere from @ £30 – £100.
There’s a wide range of playpens on the market, depending on your own style and budget.
You can start using a playpen from when your baby is four months old and you may find it useful until your child is about two years of age.
Baby Playpen Sale & Today’s Bestsellers
Final Thoughts
My top pick is the Venture All Stays Joy Baby Playpen because it’s an exceptional all rounder.
It’s really easy to put up and fold down in seconds, portable (comes with handy bag/strap), it’s sturdy and a very good size.
Parents love it! 87% of parents give it 5 stars.
I hope this list of baby playpens was helpful.
If you think I have missed any out or have any suggestions please comment below.
Thanks,
Nicola
Last Updated: March 2022
- Added ‘How We Selected.’
- Updated Image.
- Added link to NHS website.
- Added internal links.
- Added Pros/Cons on all products.
- Added Consumer Scores.
- Added ‘Things To Consider’.
- Tweaked FAQ’s.
- Added Alternative Retailers.
- Added Final Thought.
- Moved OOS To Bottom of article.
Baby Products – Buyer Guides
Sleeping & Nursery
- Moses Basket
- Baby Blanket
- Nursery Curtains
- White Noise Machine
- Baby Sleeping Bag
- Cots & Cot Beds
- Bedside Cribs
- Cot Mobile
- Baby Monitor
- Baby Sleepsuit
- Nursery Furniture Sets
- Nightlight
- Pregnancy Pillow
- Baby Nest
- Baby Comforters
- Baby Humidifier
Feeding
- Baby Highchair
- Nursing Bras
- Sleep Bras
- Bottle Warmer
- Baby Bottle
- Baby Bibs
- Nipple Cream
- Breast Pumps
- Nursing chair
- Baby Formula UK
- Baby Food Blender
- Bamboo Plates For Kids
Toiletries & Nappy Changing
- Baby Bath Tubs and Bath Seats
- Baby Bath Towels
- Baby scales
- Baby bath toys
- Baby Changing Mat
- Travel Potty
- Baby Sun Cream
- Potty
- Nappy Bin
- Biodegradable Nappies
- Nappies
- Baby Wipes
Clothing
- Baby snowsuit
- Baby dressing gown
- Baby sun hats
- Baby laundry basket
- Baby wellies
- Baby swimsuit
- Baby booties
- Baby shoes
- Babies leggings
Travel
- Travel stroller
- Baby car mirror
- Baby travel cots
- Double Buggies
- Buggy Boards
- Baby Carrier
- Baby Sling
- Changing Bag
- Baby Carrier
- Best Baby Travel Gear
- Baby reins
- Travel Cot Mattress
- Travel highchair
- Pram Accessories
- Pram Bag
- Pram Toys
- Car Sun Shade
Playtime
- Baby playpen
- Baby wetsuits
- Baby Walker
- Wooden Baby Toys
- Baby Activity Table
- Swim nappies
- Baby Play Mat
- Baby Sensory Toys
- Baby Ball Pit
- Baby Toys
Baby Extras
- First Christmas bauble
- Baby bouncer
- Baby Sunglasses
- Muslin Cloths
- Baby Teethers
- Baby Projector
- Baby Thermometer
Summer Infant Pop ‘N Play Playpen (currently unavailable)
- Great playpen for outdoor use.
- With mesh sides for easy visibility and weather resistant canvas floor for use indoors and outdoors
- Comes in compact fold and travel bag with strap for easy portability.
BabyDan Medium Wooden Playpen, White (currently unavailable)
- This playpen has 3 adjustable base positions.
- It can be used from birth to approximately 2 years of age.
- Unlike standard playpens it has 4 wheels enabling you to move your baby with you around the house with 2 lockable wheels to keep it safely in position.