Packing a baby for a weekend away, a flight to see the grandparents, or a summer holiday means bringing a safe place for them to sleep. A portacot (also called a portable or travel cot) folds down into a carry bag and gives your baby a familiar, protected sleep space wherever you land. But when you are shopping for one in Australia, safety comes before everything else.
Every folding cot sold in Australia must legally comply with the mandatory standard AS/NZS 2195 (Folding cots), which is regulated by the ACCC. That standard sets the rules for depth, locking devices, mesh, gaps and warning labels so your baby cannot become trapped or fall. We only shortlisted cots we could confirm are currently sold in Australia and meet AS/NZS 2195, and we cross-checked our safe-sleep advice against Red Nose Australia, ACCC Product Safety and healthdirect.
How we tested and picked: we looked at fold-down size and weight for real-world travel, how firm and well-fitting the supplied mattress is, ventilation and mesh visibility, ease of a one-person setup, and verified AS/NZS 2195 compliance. Prices were checked on the retailer's live page in July 2026; where a price moves often we tell you to check the current price rather than quote a stale figure.
Top 3 at a glance
- Best overall: Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot. Genuinely AS/NZS 2195 tested, one-action fold and great value at $149.
- Best premium: Bugaboo Stardust Plus. One-second unfold, all-mesh airflow and a firm bassinet base.
- Best for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep. Raised bassinet that saves your back at night feeds, in a compact fold.
The best portacot in Australia for travelling
Our number one pick is the Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot. It is one of the few travel cots that clearly states it is tested to AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots), it folds and unfolds with a single turn-and-pull action, and at $149 it is far cheaper than the premium options without cutting corners on the parts that matter for safe sleep. For most Australian families heading away for a weekend or visiting the grandparents, it is the cot we would pack.
The best portacots at a glance
- Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot - Best overall
- Bugaboo Stardust Plus Travel Cot - Best premium
- Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot - Best for newborns
- Phil&Teds Traveller - Best for flying and ultralight travel
Best overall: Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot
Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot
Valco Baby is a well-established Australian juvenile brand, and the EZ Fold Commuter is built specifically for travel, weekends away and everyday backup use. Its stand-out feature is the turn-and-pull folding system that opens and closes the whole cot in one action, so you are not wrestling with side rails while holding a baby. It packs into a compact bag and comes with a firm, fitted mattress base.
Pros
- Verified safe: the product page states it is tested to AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots), the mandatory Australian standard.
- One-action fold: a single turn-and-pull motion sets it up or packs it down.
- Great value: at $149 it undercuts most rivals while covering the safety essentials.
- Compact and light: folds to roughly 80 x 24 x 20cm for the car boot or wardrobe.
Cons
- Basic mattress: the supplied base is firm and safe but thin, as with most travel cots.
- No bassinet insert: newborns sleep at floor level, so night feeds mean more bending.
| Price | $149 (verified July 2026) |
| Standard | Tested to AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots) |
| Weight capacity | 15kg |
| Assembled size | 124 x 75 x 82cm |
| Folded size | 80 x 24 x 20cm |
| Mattress | 700 x 1120mm firm base included |
Best premium: Bugaboo Stardust Plus Travel Cot
Bugaboo Stardust Plus Travel Cot
If budget is less of a concern, the Bugaboo Stardust Plus is the most effortless cot to live with. It unfolds in about one second and folds back in around three, with no separate mattress to wrestle into place because the base drops in with the frame. All-mesh sides give clear visibility and 360-degree airflow, which is welcome in an Australian summer. It is suitable from newborn to around two years and complies with AS/NZS 2195.
Pros
- Fastest setup: genuine one-second unfold, ideal when you arrive with a tired baby.
- Great ventilation: full mesh sides for airflow and easy line of sight.
- Firm integrated base: the mattress and frame lift in together, so there are no gaps to worry about.
Cons
- Expensive: it is one of the priciest travel cots on the Australian market.
- Heavier to carry: at around 7.6kg it is not the lightest for air travel.
| Price | Check current price |
| Standard | Complies with AS/NZS 2195 |
| Suitable age | Newborn to approx. 2 years |
| Weight | Approx. 7.6kg |
| Setup | One-second unfold, three-second fold |
Best for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot
Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot
Joie is a hugely popular brand in Australian nurseries, and the Kubbie Sleep is our pick for the newborn stage. The Sleep version adds a raised bassinet layer that brings your baby up closer to you, so those endless night feeds do not mean bending all the way to the floor. The bassinet side lowers for easy access, and the whole cot still collapses into a compact, wheeled fold. As a folding cot sold in Australia it is covered by the mandatory AS/NZS 2195 standard.
Pros
- Raised bassinet: lifts a newborn higher, which is far kinder on your back.
- Compact fold: packs down small and rolls on built-in wheels.
- Trusted, widely stocked brand: easy to find parts and support in Australia.
Cons
- Shorter newborn window: the raised bassinet has a lower weight limit than the main floor.
- Firm, thin mattress: safe and correct, but do not expect plush padding.
| Price | Check current price |
| Standard | Covered by mandatory AS/NZS 2195 (folding cots) |
| Stand-out feature | Raised, lowerable bassinet for newborns |
| Portability | Compact fold with wheels and carry bag |
Best for flying: Phil&Teds Traveller
Phil&Teds Traveller
For families who fly, the Phil&Teds Traveller is the one to beat. It weighs around 2.8kg and packs down small enough to fit inside a carry-on bag, using a lightweight clip-together frame and a self-inflating mattress instead of a heavy folding chassis. It is a 4-in-1 that works as a bassinet, co-sleeper, toddler bed and playpen, and it meets the Australian and New Zealand folding cot standard (AS/NZS 2195-10+A2:2015).
Pros
- Extremely light: around 2.8kg, the easiest option to carry through an airport.
- Packs tiny: fits inside a carry-on-sized bag.
- Versatile: adapts from newborn bassinet through to toddler bed and playpen.
Cons
- Fiddlier assembly: the clip-together frame takes more steps than a one-action fold.
- Self-inflating mattress: needs a few minutes to inflate and the occasional top-up.
| Price | Check current price |
| Standard | Meets AS/NZS 2195-10+A2:2015 (AU/NZ) |
| Weight | Approx. 2.8kg |
| Configurations | 4-in-1: bassinet, co-sleep, toddler bed, playpen |
How we picked
Safety was the first filter and it was non-negotiable. In Australia, folding and portable cots are covered by a mandatory standard enforced by the ACCC, and every cot must comply with AS/NZS 2195 (Folding cots) or an approved equivalent. We only included cots we could confirm are currently sold in Australia and carry that compliance, and we left out any product we could not verify.
After that, we weighed the things that matter on the road: packed size and weight for the car or a flight, how firm and well-fitting the supplied mattress is (a firm, flat, correctly fitting mattress is central to safe sleep), ventilation and mesh visibility, and how easily one tired parent can set the cot up. Prices were checked on each retailer's live page in July 2026, and where a price fluctuates we point you to the current listing rather than quote a number that will date.
Frequently asked questions
Are portacots safe for babies to sleep in?
Yes, when they comply with AS/NZS 2195 and are used correctly. Red Nose Australia advises that a portable cot meeting the mandatory standard, used with its own firm, flat, well-fitting mattress and nothing extra added, provides a safe sleep space. Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
What is AS/NZS 2195?
AS/NZS 2195 (Folding cots) is the Australian and New Zealand safety standard for portable and folding cots. Compliance is a legal requirement enforced by the ACCC, covering the cot's depth, locking devices, mesh, gaps and warning labels to prevent entrapment and falls.
Do I need a special mattress for a portacot?
No, and you should not add one. Use only the firm, flat mattress supplied with the cot that fits it snugly. Red Nose Australia and the ACCC warn against adding a second mattress, extra padding or a soft topper, because gaps or a soft surface increase the risk of suffocation.
What bedding is safe in a travel cot?
Keep it minimal. A firm, flat, fitted mattress and a lightweight fitted sheet are enough. Avoid pillows, doonas, bumpers, soft toys and loose bedding, and keep your baby's head and face uncovered, in line with safe-sleep guidance from healthdirect and Red Nose Australia.
From what age can a baby sleep in a portacot?
Most portacots are suitable from birth, and models with a raised bassinet insert (such as the Joie Kubbie Sleep) are designed with newborns in mind. Always check the individual cot's stated age and weight limits, and stop using any bassinet insert once your baby reaches its limit.
Can a portacot be used as an everyday cot?
A compliant portacot is safe for regular sleep, but most families use them for travel and occasional nights. The mattresses are thinner than a full household cot's, so for permanent everyday use a standard cot meeting the household cot standard is generally more comfortable.
How do I know a cot actually complies?
Look for a clear AS/NZS 2195 statement and the required warning labels on the product or its page, and buy from a reputable Australian retailer. The ACCC Product Safety site lists the mandatory requirements and any recalls, so it is worth a quick check before you buy.
Sources
- ACCC Product Safety - Folding cots mandatory standard (AS/NZS 2195)
- ACCC Product Safety - Products that are safe for baby to sleep in
- Red Nose Australia - Safe sleeping, newborn to 1 year
- healthdirect - Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleeping
The verdict
The Valco Baby EZ Fold Commuter Portacot is the best portacot in Australia for travelling. It pairs clearly stated AS/NZS 2195 compliance with a genuine one-action fold and a $149 price that leaves the premium cots looking dear. If you want the easiest setup and the best airflow and money is no object, the Bugaboo Stardust Plus is a superb upgrade; for the newborn stage the Joie Kubbie Sleep's raised bassinet is the kindest on your back; and if you fly often the featherweight Phil&Teds Traveller is hard to beat. Whichever you choose, use only the firm, flat mattress it comes with, skip the extra padding, and always put your baby down on their back.