There is a reason as to why we say the Micralite 3-in-1 Sleep & Go Portable Travel Crib is the best portable bed amongst other competitors.
More than just a travel cot, this one here is also a co-sleeping bassinet and a playpen all in one, making it the perfect birth-to-toddler sleep solution from 0-3 years old.
Product Specifications
Brand | Micralite |
Product Name | Micralite 3-in-1 Sleep & Go Portable Travel Crib |
Dimensions | 44 x 31.5 x 26 inches |
Product Weight | 19.75 pounds |
Maximum Weight Limit | Up to 36 months |
Editor's Rating | (4.7/5.0) |
Price & Availability |
3-in-1 Multi Functionality
Bassinet
To form a bassinet, simply attach the newborn insert (that comes with the crib) and lay the mattress (also included) onto it and voila, you get a travel bassinet that your newborn can lay and sleep safely in.
Raised off the floor to about bed height, you can even park it right next to your bed to create a side sleeping crib or Moses basket in the bedroom for those very special first six months.
Infant Bed
Come the 7th month, you can remove the newborn insert and it becomes an infant bed that your little one can use up to 36 months.
It's very easy and takes only seconds to do so as the insert detaches with a zip.
Now, you may wonder how will the mattress fit then? Surely the dimensions at the top and bottom differ, with the top being narrower?
Fret not, the mattress that comes with it is actually expandable. Yep, just expand it and it will be at the perfect fit for the base of the cot.
Fully certified for over night sleeping, this is why even though the Micralite Sleep & Go is primarily a travel crib, many parents use it as a full time crib at home too because you do not need to buy a bassinet and a crib separately for the first 3 years.
Otherwise, we think it's a great option for baby's first holiday, downstairs naps or to keep at grandparent's house.
Playpen
So most travel cribs can be doubled up as a playard for baby to play in but what makes this one special is that one side of it can be opened up completely as pictured left.
If this looks familiar to you, yes, it is the Lotus that the Micralite resembles.
So we all know that is one of the most-loved featured of the Lotus, so much so that it becomes the deciding factor for parents who are stuck in this dilemma make up their mind.
And this is where the Micralite stood out for us. You see, the Lotus does not come with a bassinet. For those that do, they cannot be a playard. Even if they can, they will mostly be enclosed with your little one confined inside.
The Micralite 3-in-1 is all of that - it has a bassinet, is a sleeping cot and it can be a portable playard that has the flexibility to open up at the side when need be so that it is less claustrophobic inside and your little one can run in and out freely.
When you simply need to pen them in, just zip up the side panel and you don't have to worry about your little one crawling into random household danger.
It basically combines all the plus points of the above-mentioned travel cribs, all excellent choices in their own right. Perfect if you want to cut down on the million and one products to buy.
Material & Construction
When it comes to the construction of the Sleep & Go, we like how it imposes heavy padding on the frame so it takes the drama out of any bumps.
All four sides uses breathable mesh so airflow and ventilation is superb besides allowing you to keep an eye on baby at all times.
What's worth mentioning is that the Sleep & Go has a plastic coated bottom so you can even use it outdoor (in the garden, at the beach or even camping). To date, this is the only travel cot we have came across to have this feature.
As with any good travel cribs, this one here comes with a carry bag as well.
While we wouldn't say it is the most compact - it certainly does not live up to Lotus' small size - it makes packing up the Micralite so much easier (we'll explain more below).
As you can see from the diagram below, the size of its carry bag is comparatively bigger (at least 10 inches more than these) but this is understandable as the Micralite does have more accessories than your usual standard travel crib.
You'll have to most likely check it in when you travel overseas but other times, you can carry it either by the handle or over your shoulder.
Easy Assembly & Travel Friendly
Ok, so let's now look at its set up. It wouldn't be the best portable travel crib if assembling takes say, 10 minutes or so, would it?
No worries, Micralite has one of the easiest and most straightforward mechanism we have ever seen.
All you have to do, upon taking the crib frame out from its carry bag is to hold the top part and give it a good shake. Everything else will fall into place automatically with legs locked in and all - that's it.
Depending on your needs, the bassinet insert only requires you to zip it in as mentioned above. Otherwise, the Micralite is good to go.
Aside from the way it is designed, we think such ease is also made possible because of the carry bag - it doesn't require you to fold up the crib in too complicated ways (as it is not very compact) so you can literally just swing the Micralite open and be done with it.
Perhaps a video instruction will be easier to understand:
As you can see, taking it down is equally straightforward and quick.
Just press the buttons located at the top of each leg and the legs will be released. Fold them down and the crib will collapse. Then, fold the crib into half.
It's pretty intuitive we would say but there are also fingerprint signs printed on the fabric handles to show you where to apply pressure so that it's easier to fold the crib into half.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
To sum up, we can see why the Micralite 3-in-1 Sleep & Go Portable Travel Crib is gaining traction in the travel crib market, despite it being relatively new in the market.
It is multi-functional, flexible, durable and easy to manage, and it is not as expensive as the ever-popular Guava Lotus and BabyBjorn travel cribs.
It has also earned itself several awards in recent years proving everything is not self-proclaimed so if you'd want something cheaper but equally exceptional, we'd say go for the Micralite Sleep & Go.
