In a nutshell

An incredibly portable easy occasional sleep solution for babies on the go - ideal for air travel

What we tested

  • Ease of assembly
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Portability
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Quality
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Pros

  • Fast assembly, compact storage, lightweight

Cons

  • Hard mattress, may be too small for active older baby

When you’re travelling with small children anything you can do to reduce the weight of equipment is a good thing. Luckily then, the Samsonite Pop-Up Bubble Cot is just three kilos and is a little over half a metre long when folded.

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The Samsonite Pop-Up Bubble Cot is a great item to help families to travel light and is particularly useful if the whole group has to share a room as it takes up very little space even when unfolded. The mesh cover makes it a great option for hot holidays, but when travelling to chillier climes you may need to bring some extra blankets for padding and warmth.

Click here to buy the Samsonite Pop-Up Bubble Cot on Amazon

What we love

Once out of the bag, the cot quite literally springs up and it’s simply a matter of inserting two stiffening poles and a fold up sleeping mat and it’s ready to go. This means you can have baby accommodated in seconds even if you arrive at your destination really late and want to fall right into bed.

Because the cot doesn’t benefit from tall sides like a standard travel cot and is laid on the floor there could be concerns that a mobile child could simply get up in the middle of the night and wander off. However the unit comes complete with zip round mosquito net that doubles as a door when unzipped so you can keep baby contained. The mesh sides also give full visibility allowing you to check on a sleeping child without disturbing them.

Surprisingly considering its size, it is suitable for babies from birth and can also accommodate tots up to 18 months. The Pop-Up Bubble Cot also comes in a range of modern colours and patterns and has a stylish look and feel - useful for camping and boutique hotels alike!

What to watch out for

While the mattress pad is very portable and easy to install it is a little on the thin side and being so close to the ground may also prove chilly in winter months. As it is stiffened to provide bracing for the whole pop-up, it is not possible to chuck it in a washing machine if your tot suffers an episode of vomiting. It is also only one metre long and 60cm wide so larger babies may outgrow it much sooner than the 18 months suggested by Samsonite.

Erecting the cot takes a matter of minutes but to the untrained hand, stowing it away again can take quite a bit longer. As with all temporary tents and play equipment constructed of bendy wire frames, it takes a certain knack to get it bent and twisted in the right direction to persuade it back into its container. However you don’t have to have it bent in exactly the same way as the manufacturer to get it back in its carry bag and a bit of pushing and shoving gives the desired result. Practice makes perfect!

Who is Samsonite Pop-Up Bubble Cot best for?

Parents looking for a lightweight, easy to use travel cot that won’t take up too much space

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MadeForMums Verdict

This is great for a short break and parents who want a cot that can be erected quickly - but don’t forget some extra blankets for those chillier nights!

Product Specifications

Product
BrandSamsonite
ModelPop-Up Bubble Cot
Price£49.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)6 months to 4 months
Features
Features
  • Foldable tent-like structure bends into compact carry case
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