Playpens and play panels

Big fenced play areas for supervised play, often with a gate.

Toddler sitting inside a cream and sage panel playpen in a living room with bunting

39models tracked
$62 to $449price range

Playpens and play panels by budget

The 36 playpens and play panels with a published list price, split into thirds by price. A to Z within each lane. Price isn't a quality rating.

Budget-friendlyUnder $9011

Show 3 more

Mid-range$90 to $14012

Show 4 more

Splurge$140 and up13

Show 5 more

All 39 playpens and play panels

Must have:

✓ maker says yes ✕ maker says no ? not published Confirmed only Sort

Compare					Carry bag
	Avenlur Wooden Baby Playpen with Mirror and Whiteboard Panelplay only	$449	22 lb	–	?
	Avenlur Wooden Baby Playpen with Sensory Activity Panelsplay only	$369	22 lb	–	?
	Chicco Lullaby Portable Playardbassinet, changer, play onlyBassinetChangerWheelsCarry bag	–	31 lb	–	✓
	Costway 14-Panel Foldable Baby Playpen with Lockable Gate and Non-slip Basesplay only	$115.99	–	4.2 cu ft	?
	Costway 75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doorsplay only	$62.99	11 lb	–	?
	Costway 81 x 58 Inch Baby Playpen with 50 Ocean Balls and Zipper Doorsplay only	$69.99	16 lb	–	?
	Costway Extra Large Playpen with Basketball Hoop for Babies and Toddlersplay onlyCarry bag	$119.99	20 lb	–	✓
	Costway Large Baby Playpen BPA-Free Foldable Toddlers Safety Fence Play Yard with Zipper Gplay onlyCarry bag	$75.99	16 lb	–	✓
	Costway Large Baby Playpen with Pull Rings, Ocean Balls and Cute Patternplay onlyCarry bag	$72.99	17 lb	–	✓
	Dream On Me 12 Panel Rumi Playpenplay only	$139.99	29.75 lb	–	?
	Dream On Me 14 Panel Groovy Play Centerplay only	$199.99	42 lb	–	?
	Dream On Me 14 Panel Oasis Play Centerplay only	$179.99	35 lb	–	?
	Dream On Me Imagination Station 10 Panel Playpenplay only	$169.99	25.3 lb	–	?
	Dream On Me Onyx Playpenplay onlyCarry bag	$99.99	13.5 lb	1.7 cu ft	✓
	Dream On Me Pop Up Children Playpenplay only	$89.99	6.61 lb	–	?
	Dreambaby Brooklyn Converta Play-Pen Gate with Mesh Sides and EZ-Check Indicatorplay only	$149.99	–	–	?
	Dreambaby Mayfair Converta 3-in-1 Play-Pen Gateplay only	$139.99	–	–	?
	KidCo Custom Fit Auto Close ConfigureGate (30 in Door)play only	$214.95	–	–	?
	Regalo 2-in-1 Plastic Play Yard & Safety Gateplay only	$100.99	–	–	?
	Regalo 2-in-1 Play Yard & Safety Gate with Doorplay only	$89.99	–	–	?
	Regalo 2-in-1 Super Wide Safety Gate & Play Yardplay only	$119.99	–	–	?
	Regalo My Play Deluxe Portable Play Yard (6-Panel)play only	$109.99	–	–	?
	Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard (6-Panel)play only	$79.99	–	–	?
	Regalo Soft Sided Play Yardplay only	$64.99	–	–	?
	Regalo XL 2-in-1 Play Yard & Safety Gate Multi-Colorplay only	$99.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States 4929play only	$229.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States 4930play only	$169.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States 4936play only	$209.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Classicplay only	$76.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplayplay only	$74.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay 8-Panelplay only	$99.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Brightsplay only	$69.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimateplay only	$79.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Duo Extra Wide Gate & Play Yardplay only	$86.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Explorerplay only	–	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Indoor-Outdoorplay only	–	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Nook with SecureMatplay only	$129.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimateplay only	$94.99	–	–	?
	Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate 8-Panelplay only	$139.99	–	–	?

Playpens and play panels by the numbers

The 39 we compare, from each maker's published specs. Ranges, not ratings.

Play area10 sq ft to 44 sq ft; the middle half 18.5 sq ft to 19 sq ft (16 of 39 publish it)
Panels3 to 14; the middle half 6 to 8 (30 of 39 publish it)
Weight6.6 lb to 42 lb; the middle half 16 lb to 29.8 lb (14 of 39 publish it)
Price$62.99 to $449; the middle half $79.99 to $149.99 (36 of 39 publish it)

Play yard vs travel crib vs playpen

Type	Products	With bassinet	Play only, per maker	Median weight	Median price
Travel cribs	38	19	0	16.6 lb	$199.99
With bassinet or changer	32	27	0	24.9 lb	$149.99
Playpens	39	1	39	20 lb	$100.99

Play area, biggest first

Product	Area, per maker	Panels	Open size
Dream On Me 14 Panel Oasis Play Center	44 sq ft	14	73.5 × 47 × 26 in
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate 8-Panel	34.4 sq ft	8	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay 8-Panel	34.4 sq ft	8	–
Dream On Me 12 Panel Rumi Playpen	20.5 sq ft	12	62 × 48 × 28 in
Toddleroo by North States 4929	19 sq ft	8	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Classic	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimate	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Brights	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Indoor-Outdoor	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Explorer	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Nook with SecureMat	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Duo Extra Wide Gate & Play Yard	18.5 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States 4930	10 sq ft	6	–
Toddleroo by North States 4936	10 sq ft	6	–
Costway 14-Panel Foldable Baby Playpen with Lockable Gate and Non-slip Bases	–	14	52.5 × 55 × 23.5 in
Dream On Me 14 Panel Groovy Play Center	–	14	81 × 73 × 28 in
Dream On Me Imagination Station 10 Panel Playpen	–	10	58 × 28 × 23.5 in
Avenlur Wooden Baby Playpen with Mirror and Whiteboard Panel	–	9	63 × 63 × 24 in
Regalo XL 2-in-1 Play Yard & Safety Gate Multi-Color	–	8	–
Regalo 2-in-1 Super Wide Safety Gate & Play Yard	–	8	–
Avenlur Wooden Baby Playpen with Sensory Activity Panels	–	8	63 × 63 × 24 in
Regalo My Play Portable Play Yard (6-Panel)	–	6	–
Regalo My Play Deluxe Portable Play Yard (6-Panel)	–	6	–
Regalo 2-in-1 Play Yard & Safety Gate with Door	–	6	–
Regalo 2-in-1 Plastic Play Yard & Safety Gate	–	6	–
Dreambaby Mayfair Converta 3-in-1 Play-Pen Gate	–	6	–
Dreambaby Brooklyn Converta Play-Pen Gate with Mesh Sides and EZ-Check Indicator	–	6	–
KidCo Custom Fit Auto Close ConfigureGate (30 in Door)	–	3	–

Shortlist: 4 models, each highest or lowest on one spec

Ranked on the maker's published numbers only. Not a safety or quality rating.

Biggest play area Dream On Me14 Panel Oasis Play Center 44 sq ft
Biggest play area: the Dream On Me 14 Panel Oasis Play Center at 44 sq ft, per Dream On Me.

Panels
14
Weight
35 lb
Price
$179.99
See specs
Lightest Dream On MePop Up Children Playpen 6.6 lb
Lightest: the Dream On Me Pop Up Children Playpen at 6.6 lb, per Dream On Me.

Price
$89.99
See specs
Smallest fold Dream On MeOnyx Playpen 1.7 cu ft
Smallest fold: the Dream On Me Onyx Playpen at 1.7 cu ft, per Dream On Me.

Weight
13.5 lb
Price
$99.99
See specs
Lowest price Costway75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doors $62.99
Lowest price: the Costway 75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doors at $62.99, per Costway.

Weight
11 lb
See specs

Play area vs price

Each dot is one of the 14 playpens and play panels with both specs published; further right is more play area, lower is cheaper. Numbered dots are the shortlist.

Hover, tap or Tab to a dot to see the product. Exact numbers are in the table below.

1Dream On Me 14 Panel Oasis Play CenterBiggest play area
2Dream On Me Pop Up Children PlaypenLightest · not on the chart: no published play area
3Dream On Me Onyx PlaypenSmallest fold · not on the chart: no published play area
4Costway 75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper DoorsLowest price · not on the chart: no published play area

All 14 on the chart, cheapest first

Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Brights18.5 sq ft · $69.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay18.5 sq ft · $74.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Classic18.5 sq ft · $76.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimate18.5 sq ft · $79.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Duo Extra Wide Gate & Play Yard18.5 sq ft · $86.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate18.5 sq ft · $94.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay 8-Panel34.4 sq ft · $99.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Nook with SecureMat18.5 sq ft · $129.99
Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate 8-Panel34.4 sq ft · $139.99
Dream On Me 12 Panel Rumi Playpen20.5 sq ft · $139.99
Toddleroo 3-in-1 Metal Superyard10 sq ft · $169.99
Dream On Me 14 Panel Oasis Play Center44 sq ft · $179.99
Toddleroo 3-in-1 Arched Décor Metal Superyard10 sq ft · $209.99
Toddleroo 3-in-1 Metal Superyard 8-Panel19 sq ft · $229.99

Too close to label: a Toddleroo by North States Superyard Colorplay Ultimate

What to look for in playpens and play panels

The range across every play yard here, with the typical middle half shaded and the shortlist marked.

Play area

The floor area inside the panels, as the maker lists it.

14 Panel Oasis Play Center

10 sq ftmiddle 18.5 sq ft44 sq ft

Typical: 18.5 sq ft to 19 sq ft. 16 of 39 list it. Biggest play area: 14 Panel Oasis Play Center.

Panels

How many panels come in the box. Some makers sell extension panels.

3middle 614

Typical: 6 to 8. 30 of 39 list it.

Weight

You feel this every time you lift it into a trunk, up stairs, or onto a bus.

Pop Up Children Playpen

6.6 lbmiddle 22 lb42 lb

Typical: 16 lb to 29.8 lb. 14 of 39 list it. Lightest: Pop Up Children Playpen.

Price

What it lists for at the maker or a major store. Sales move this often.

75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doors

$62.99middle $109.99$449

Typical: $79.99 to $149.99. 36 of 39 list it. Lowest price: 75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doors.

Ask the meadow

Questions about playpens and play panels

Answers come from each maker's published specs. Safety and health questions link to the agency or medical source.

What is the lightest playpen?

The Dream On Me Pop Up Children Playpen at 6.61 lb, of the 39 we track.

What is the most affordable playpen?

The Costway 75 x 59 Inch Large Baby Playpen with Breathable Mesh and Zipper Doors at $62.99 list price.

Which playpens come with a bassinet?

Chicco Lullaby Portable Playard, per their makers.

What is the difference between a play yard and a playpen?

A play yard is a portable crib with mesh sides that many makers say is for sleep. A playpen or play panel is a larger fenced play area, usually for supervised play only.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

Most-compared pairs

Side-by-side specs for the closest rivals in this category.

Not quite right? Other types

Guides

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