Top 5 Playpens for Kids: Perfect for Play and Rest

CAM Lusso Price from 3 440 up to 3 699 ₴ →

Lusso is a playpen from the Italian company CAM, which has over 40 years of experience in producing children's products. This is one of the few items proudly labeled "Made in Italy." What does "budget solution the Italian way" mean? Just the essentials, only the main functionality, and well-thought-out details. In CAM Lusso, a child can, of course, fall asleep, but the playpen was designed to ensure the safe wakefulness of children weighing up to 15 kg.

The support points are located beyond the floor area, giving the already impressive structure (weight 9.5 kg) additional stability. The frame is tubular and made of metal. The joints are positioned in such a way that the child cannot reach them. The bottom does not just lie under the weight; each leg has a locking mechanism. The edge is made to be "anti-vandal," so the little one won't be able to bite through it, as the diameter of the cover simply won’t allow their teething teeth to close, and the material is high-strength PVC.

All sides are made of white fine-mesh fabric, so what the child is doing is visible, and they do not feel like they are confined in a box.

The playpen has four handles that the little one can hold onto when they start to stand up and learn to walk. Resourceful parents can use them to hang toys. The only complaint is the coloring. If they were brighter, the child would reach for them sooner.

The bottom of CAM Lusso is non-removable, meaning that storing the playpen in a folded state requires sufficient vertical space. There is only one position for the bottom, but the distance to the floor is enough for wet cleaning without moving the playpen. The absence of wheels for transportation can be seen as both a positive aspect (the round knobs make Lusso stable on linoleum, laminate, carpet, or carpet flooring) and a negative one (not every mom can lift such a bulky item weighing 10 kg).

The CAM Lusso playpen is worth purchasing for parents who already have a full sleeping space for their child, but it is problematic to allocate a play area for the baby due to furniture or layout constraints.

Caretero Medio

The Caretero Medio Classic playpen-bed can be used from birth until the child reaches 15 kg, allowing you to save on purchasing a small bed and to buy a teenage bed around three years old.

The base has two height positions. The upper, "infant," position is until the baby can sit up or reaches 9 kg, which any mom will appreciate. The set includes a removable, foldable changing table, but its noticeably concave shape may not suit everyone.

Although the design may seem complex, assembling and disassembling this playpen is simple. To prevent an unattended child from repeating the operation independently, the key joint with the locking button is additionally hidden under a Velcro-sealed flap. The frame is tubular and metallic, although some joints are made of plastic. There is an additional leg in the middle of the long side of the frame that prevents sagging, which parents will appreciate when the child starts jumping actively in the playpen.

Since Caretero Medio Classic can function as a bed, the backs are sewn from opaque fabric, while the sides are only partially made of mesh. If you want maximum visibility and are not keen on regularly playing hide-and-seek with your little one, consider a playpen designed for that.

One of the back sides has a zippered opening that older children will appreciate: having their own entrance to the bed is a step into adulthood.

Two legs are equipped with large, swiveling wheels with brakes. This allows you to move the playpen around the apartment easily, even with the baby inside.

The set includes a carrying bag. Thanks to the "umbrella" design and folding bottom, the playpen easily fits in the trunk of any car and on the luggage rack in a train car. The cutouts for the wheels will be handy when you can roll the bag over a sufficiently smooth floor (aero)station.

Caretero Medio Classic is recommended for active parents who need a mobile playpen-bed to ensure the comfort and safety of the baby at home and during travels.

Caretero Grande

Caretero Grande is an "expanded version" of the previous participant in our top 5 playpens. Almost everything said about Caretero Medio Classic is true for the Grande model. Their constructions are nearly identical.

However, Grande has additional folding arches, allowing you to rock the baby like in a cradle.

The set includes a mosquito net and a canopy that shields the head from wind and sunlight. This makes it an ideal option for summer outings in nature. The mosquito net is not secured with elastic but with a zipper, so it can protect against flying insects as well as curious pets.

Toys (not just the ones sold with the playpen) can be hung from the canopy arch. From the upper position of the bottom, the baby can reach them with their hands and feet while lying down, and older children will have a "lure" to reach for while standing and mastering jumping. Over time, the "Velcro" may fray, but the arch's thickness is standard, so all "stroller" and similar clips should fit.

There is also a light and sound block included that will play soothing melodies for the sleepy child, and the lamp can be used as a night light.

The fabric details are non-removable; however, the material can be easily cleaned with a foam sponge and has sufficient hydrophobic properties.

Caretero Grande is primarily a bed that can be conveniently used as a playpen, making it an ideal choice for families needing a mobile and collapsible sleeping and play area.

CAM America

Among moms, there is a belief that to ensure safety, especially to avoid the playpen tipping over with an extremely active child, the weight of the playpen should not be less than that of the child. In reality, this is a misconception; it all depends on the design that determines the center of gravity's position. However, manufacturers are ready to meet customer demands and produce quite heavy playpens. For example, CAM America, weighing a solid 15.7 kg.

The CAM America frame is made of tubular metal, although the side posts are close to the mesh, the child won’t hit them, as the tube is concealed by a washable synthetic cover with a foam insert. The support area is significant, and the legs have plastic tips, but unfortunately, there are no wheels for transportation.

The point where the frame connects may pose a potential danger to the child, so it is covered by a large soft pad. The developers limited themselves to one button for securing it; with active assembly/disassembly, this part may become loose. However, the playpen is made in Italy, which inspires hope for the quality of the components.

The bottom in CAM America is foldable, which reduces storage space requirements when disassembled. The folding line runs down the middle, and the halves lift upwards, preventing the child from folding the playpen independently.

Some parents believe the bottom is too firm. Perhaps, but this problem can be solved either by purchasing a play mat or by placing a blanket or throw. The dimensions of the bottom almost match the standard for cribs, so finding a soft mattress is also not difficult.

The edge is "anti-vandal," with a leather texture. The playpen has four handles that the baby can hold onto. They are located on the short sides, which is somewhat odd considering the more-than-a-meter-long size of the bottom.

CAM America will appeal to parents who prefer solid constructions, even at the expense of their own convenience, but without any doubts about their child's safety.

Graco Contour Prestige

A place for sleeping and waking, equipped to the highest standard – this describes the versatile Graco Contour Prestige playpen. The set includes a changing table, storage containers for diapers, and a shelf for creams/powders with three compartments, a mechanical musical carousel mobile, an electronic light and sound block with a timer, and also a clock/thermometer and vibrating mechanism.

In the role of a cradle, Graco Contour Prestige works until the child reaches 6.5 kg or begins to sit up independently. The mentioned accessories will entertain the baby and even help them fall asleep. The memory stores five classical melodies and nature sounds. The vibration block has two speeds.

While the additional base is installed in the upper position, the space below is organized into four shelves. Access is through a zippered opening in the side mesh. It is located on the right side when facing the headboard. Theoretically, this opening could serve as a passage, but for safety reasons, it is better not to show it to the child for a while.

The frame assembles using an umbrella principle, with the main lock being rotating. In playpen mode, additional supports on the long sides eliminate sagging of the frame and bottom. Large wheels are installed on two legs (at the head).

The backs are made entirely of fabric, while the sides are a combination, with mesh. The fabric can be easily wiped with a damp sponge and does not absorb moisture. To remove dust from hard-to-reach places, it is better to use a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle.

Since the bottom dimensions do not match the common standards in our country, the mattress will need to be ordered to custom measurements.

The set includes a carrying bag. Unfortunately, it is made of thin material, so it’s better to pack the playpen in plastic wrap when traveling.

Graco Contour Prestige can be recommended to parents who do not have time to search for components and want to acquire the maximum set of useful items right away.