What we love
The Koo-di Travel Pop-Up Bubble Cot ticks the most important boxes for a travel cot – it’s simple to use and extremely portable.
The pop-up design means that it’s easy to assemble – it literally springs out of the bag and into shape. You just need to insert two small struts and Velcro the mattress into place inside. To disassemble, remove the mattress and struts and then twist the frame to fold it into three loops to pack away. This is easier said than done at first, but you should get the knack after a few goes.
There’s no danger of little arms getting stuck down the side of the mattress, while the fun design is a bonus, managing to be cheery without being lurid.
Because there’s a side opening for placing your baby inside, the Koo-di Travel Pop-Up Bubble Cot is much easier on your back than a traditional cot where you have to lean over the sides to lift your baby in and out.
What to watch out for
The mattress is designed to curve up around the sides and ends of the cot so your baby can’t roll off it. However, this means that you can’t tuck her in tight as the blankets have to go over these ‘lips’ on the mattress, too. The Velcro fasteners will also be compromised if you attempt to push blankets down the ends or sides. Using a baby sleeping bag would be a solution.
Because there’s a side opening, you’ll have to kneel on the floor to get your baby in and out. A carpeted surface would be advised for your baby’s comfort, as well as that of your knees, as the mattress isn’t particularly thick. However, most hotels would be able to provide a spare blanket, which you could fold flat underneath if you wanted some extra padding.
Packing the outer frame away can be a bit of a wrestling match but becomes much easier once you’ve developed the knack.
Unlike many other travel cots, this couldn’t be used as a playpen for older babies.
There’s also a risk that particularly active little ones could topple the cot from inside – although the soft and rounded shape means this shouldn’t be as dangerous as it could be with more rigid structures.
Who is the Koo-di Travel Pop-Up Bubble Cot best for?
Tropical holidaymakers keen for a compact option with integrated mozzie net
The Koo-di Travel Pop-Up Bubble Cot is a great choice for travellers as it’s so light and neat. But wriggly babies might better suit a more traditional-style cot where blankets can be tucked in tighter and there’s less danger of overbalancing.
