REASONS TO BUY
Eco-healthy
Portable
Comfy
REASONS TO AVOID
Average ease of use
Lotus Travel Crib Review
Healthy and eco-friendly choice that isn't as easy to use as some
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: Best Travel Cribs
The Skinny
The Lotus Travel Crib is an eco-healthy, comfortable travel crib with a backpack-style carry bag for easy travel and is one of the best travel cribs in our review. This crib is one of the smallest and lightest options we tested and is a good choice for parents that want a true travel-friendly option with significant features for eco-health. The Everywhere has a GREENGUARD GOLD standard certification and is free of flame retardant chemicals commonly found in much of the competition. We like the side zippered opening and comfortable mattress of this crib, but it is only average for ease of use and you need to watch a video to learn how to fold the crib and fit it in the bag properly. While not the right choice for all families thanks to the higher price, we think it is a good choice for the health-conscious if the budget allows.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Lotus Travel Crib | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | | |
| Price | $280 List $229.95 at Amazon | $300 List $279.99 at Amazon | $120 List $89.99 at Amazon | $90 List $59.99 at Amazon | $80 List $69.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Impressive eco-health features and cozy mattress make up for harder folding | Eco-healthy crib that is easy to use, cozy and portable | Easy on the wallet travel solution that sets up quickly and has an easy access side zipper | A less expensive play yard but it isn't suitable for sleeping according to the manufacturer | Average option for the budget savvy but is somewhat heavy and large |
| Rating Categories | Lotus Travel Crib | BabyBjorn Travel Cr... | Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen | Dream On Me Light P... | Graco Pack 'n Play... |
| Ease of Use (35%) | |||||
| Portability (30%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (15%) | |||||
| EcoHealth (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Lotus Travel Crib | BabyBjorn Travel Cr... | Baby Joy 2-1 Playpen | Dream On Me Light P... | Graco Pack 'n Play... |
| Weight | 13.9 lbs | 12.8 lbs | 10.25 lbs | 10.6 lbs | 20.3 lbs (includes bassinet) |
| Crib Dimensions - assembled | 25.5"H x 47.9"L x 32.1"W | 25.5"H x 43.8"L x 32.5"W | 27.5"H x 46"L x 30.5"W | 26"H x 24"L x 31"W | 28.8"H x 41.1"L x 28.6"W |
| Crib Dimensions - closed | 12.6"H x 24.8"L x 9.3"W | 19.5"H x 23.6"L x 6.6"W | 22"H x 24"L x 7"W | 20"H x 24"L x 6"W | 10.6"H x 27.7"L x 10.3"W |
| Age/Height/Weight Limit | 3 Years or 35" |
3 Years or 35" |
39" or 33 lbs ~3 Years | 35" or 30 lbs | 35" or 30 lbs |
| Special Features | BackPack Straps on Carry Bag, Removeable Fabric, Fitted Sheet, Side Zipper Opening | Removeable Fabric | Removable Fabric, Side Zipper Opening | None | Bassinet, Toy Bar, Storage Bag |
| Cleaning Method | Mattress Fabric: Machine Wash Travel Crib Fabric: Machine Wash |
Mattress Fabric: Machine Wash Travel Crib Fabric: Machine Wash |
Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean |
Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean |
Mattress Fabric: Spot Clean Travel Crib Fabric: Spot Clean |
| Flame Retardant Free | Yes (GREENGUARD GOLD Certified) | Yes (Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified) | Not Specified | Not Specified | No |
| Set Up Time | 2:13 min:sec | 1:37 min:sec | 1:01 min:sec | 2:36 min:sec | 1:47 min:sec |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 2 Years | None | None | 1 Year |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Guava Family company motto is that "life should be spent together." Guava is a small family company that strives to help make parents' lives simpler and more efficient. The company designers work to create products that are safe and not cumbersome. Guava believes that if a product isn't safe enough for their children, it isn't safe enough for others. They put their product through third-party testing when possible and work with high-quality materials when possible. Guava makes a travel crib and bassinet with additional accessories.
Performance Comparison
The cool side opening on the Lotus can make it more versatile or easier to use when trying to get your baby down for a nap.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Lotus isn't the most straightforward option you can choose. Ease of use entails setup and closing of the crib along with any included accessories.
The Lotus took just over 5 minutes to put together on our first try. This time is one of the fastest in the group. Over repeated attempts, we got our average time down to 2:13 minutes. Setting up the Lotus is easier than closing it to put in the travel bag, and it is a little difficult to get it in the bag. The crib opens by holding two sides, shaking it loose, and locking it into place.
Setting the Lotus up only requires a few steps and is easier than some of the competition though not as quick as others.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Closing is harder, and sometimes the fold was too large to fit in the bag, and we aren't sure what we did wrong or what we did right when it fit without a problem. Later, when testing was complete, we did find a video online showing how to close the crib to easily fit it inside the bag. While this worked well, we think it is disappointing that the process requires a video tutorial and isn't more intuitive.
This crib is one of the only products with machine-washable fabric, but there are a lot of crevices where the legs connect that gunk could accumulate.
The Lotus is fairly small for what it offers when open and the compact length means it may fit where the larger product won't.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The Lotus provides excellent portability, making the Lotus one of the best options if you're traveling with your baby or smaller spaces.
With a weight of 13.9 lbs in the bag, the Lotus is one of the lightest options in the review. The product measures 12.6"H x 24.8"L x 9.3"W when folded, which makes it one of the smallest products as well.
The Lotus Travel Crib is the only product we tested that offered a hands-free carrying option like the backpack straps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The bag can stand on end with the crib inside, and it has backpack-style straps that allow you to carry it hands-free. While probably not necessary given the lighter weight, the straps are comfortable and handy so that you can hold other things including your baby.
The mesh sides and mattress both combine to create a comfortable napping and playing play spot for your baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The Lotus has more features for comfort than the average crib in this lineup.
The mattress is soft without being too soft, and it doesn't depress down to the hard bottom making it cozier than most of the competition. Guava doesn't list the mattress's contents.
The Lotus mattress is thick, soft and supportive.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The side of the crib zips down and lets parents comfortably snuggle and nap with the baby or extend the play area outside the confines of the crib. This side-access can also be used to more comfortably place the baby inside instead of bending over the top of the crib.
The Lotus Travel Crib performed well in our tests for quality with an attention to detail during construction you can see when compared to the competition. While it isn't as high-end as some of the competition it is above average and nice for the price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Lotus is only just above average for quality, but it is pretty good for the price.
The fabric and mesh on the crib feel durable, and we didn't see any loose stitching or potential problems. The travel bag handles stitching stretches from little use, which could lead to issues down the road. The frame does wiggle a little when pushed, but it holds its ground when you press on the top rails.
While our product's zipper was fine and had no problems, at least one online reviewer mentioned a zippered malfunction with the Lotus.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
While we didn't have any issues with the product, we purchased at least one reviewer reports the zipper breaking after only six months. The zippers hold the fabric to the frame and function to open the side of the crib.
Little ones can stay safe and have fun in the right travel crib/play yard.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-health
The Lotus offers impressive eco-health metric results. It has a high score for the group where most failed to score higher than a 1.
This product has earned the GREENGUARD GOLD standard certification for chemical emissions and is the only travel crib to receive this certification. This product does not contain Lead, PVC, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, or heavy metals. It has low VOC and meets all flame retardant standards without chemicals. Guava offers more detailed information on the materials used in their travel crib than any of the other brands we tested.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
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