Top 3 Slumberpod Alternative Options for Better Toddler Sleep
If you’re planning a family vacation, then it’s important to discuss tips for comfortable sleeping arrangements. Today, we’ll explore the Slumberpod and Slumberpod alternative options!
Getting your little one to sleep at home is one thing, but attempting to do the same while on vacation is another challenge. As parents, we all know how crucial sleep is for toddlers, as it promotes their development and helps them recharge.
My daughter is accustomed to her perfect, dark, and comfy sleep environment at home, complete with a sound machine and a crib. So when we go on vacation, we try to recreate this environment and bring along some of these items.
In addition to that, we have to learn how to travel with a car seat, figure out how to warm up baby bottles on the plane, and decide on which toys to pack.
As someone who has traveled extensively with my toddlers, I’m always looking for products that make traveling with toddlers easier ( even after 30+ international flights). The Slumberpod has been an absolute game-changer, and we found the winning combination to be:
- the Guava Lotus travel crib
- a sound machine and
- the Slumberpod (plus a lovey if your child uses one).
For toddlers, this inflatable bed along with the Slumberpod works particularly well together.
So, if you wonder whether the Slumberpod is worth it, I encourage you to check out my full and honest review. In my opinion, this product can turn any place into a cozy sleep zone for your little one, making traveling with toddlers a lot less stressful.
Regardless of what your reason is for looking for a Slumberpod alternative, I found one in every price range so let’s talk about it.
Related: 3 Best Toddler Travel Bed Options to Use After Pack and Play
Top 3 Slumberpod Alternative Options for Better Toddler Sleep
What is the Slumberpod?
The Slumberpod is a portable blackout tent designed to create a dark and peaceful sleeping environment for your little one. It can be used with a pack-and-play or an inflatable toddler bed, and it is made of breathable fabric with mesh windows. In addition, they offer a fan for purchase to ensure proper ventilation.
Although it may seem like a luxury item due to its cost, the Slumberpod has been a game-changer for my daughter’s sleeping habits. With the Slumberpod, she can sleep soundly all night long, even though she’s only a foot away from us.
If you want to learn more about the Slumberpod, including its pros and cons, check out the full Slumberpod review.
Slumberpod Dimensions
The Slumberpod dimensions are as follows:
– Weight: 5.5 pounds
– Assembled: 50 inches in length, 36 inches in width, and 56 inches in height.
– Disassembled: 17 inches in length, 5 inches in width, and 6 inches in height when packed in a bag.
The Slumberpod is compatible with playards that are 39-40 inches long, 28-30 inches wide, and 28-34 inches tall.
To ensure the Slumberpod is compatible with your choice of pack-and-play, crib or inflatable mattress visit the Slumberpod website.
According to Slumberpod, it is recommended for use by children aged 4 months and older up to the age of 5. It has passed all relevant safety tests for juvenile products in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Is There a Slumberpod Alternative or a Slumberpod Dupe?
Yes, the good news is that there are a few Slumberpod alternative options! Here are my top 3.
1. Hiccapop Blackout Tent, also known as the Hiccapop DayDreamer Blackout Tent for Pack ‘n Play (BEST)
2. Guava Lotus Travel Crib plus Fun Shade (SECOND BEST)
3. Dofilachy Pack n Play Canopy Cover (CHEAPEST but not my fave)
4. Bonus: Blackout Tent for Baby Pack and play
Scroll down to see details about each option!
Why Would I need a Slumberpod Alternative or Slumberpod Dupe?
It’s worth noting that while the Slumberpod can be a fantastic product, it might not be suitable for everyone. Some people may prefer other options and consider getting a Slumberpod alternative or Slumberpod dupe due to reasons such as:
– as the cost of the Slumberpod
– the size of their crib (in Europe, pack-and-plays provided by hotels and Airbnb tend to be longer than in the US), or
– the setup process, which can be tricky and involves maneuvering long metal poles in a small space.
If you’re looking for some Slumberpod alternative options, I can suggest three that will help everyone get some much-needed rest while on vacation ( and might save you a few dollars).
3 Slumberpod Alternative Options
Here are my top 3 Slumberpod Alternative Options!
- Hiccappop
- Guava Lotus
- Dofilachy Pack N Play Canopy Cover
Let’s talk about them all in depth, starting with my favorite Slumberpod alternative option.
1. Hiccapop Blackout Tent or the Hiccapop DayDreamer Blackout Tent for Pack ‘n Play
The Hiccapop Blackout Tent is a great Slumberpod alternative and is much more affordable. It is one of the most popular options and blocks 80-90% of outside light. It’s made out of durable stretchy fabric (has a different feel than the Slumberpod), has a sturdy zipper, and is the exact size as the Slumberpod making it a great Slumberpod dupe.
The specific dimensions of the Hiccapop DayDreamer Blackout Tent are 50″L x 36″W x 56″H, which are exactly the same as the Slumberpod when assembled.
In addition, the Hiccapop DayDreamer Blackout Tent for Pack ‘n Play offers some other great features such as the upper AND lower doors. The lower door or “entrance” is great for us since we use it with an inflatable toddler bed instead of a pack-and-play for our toddler.
The color-coded hooks make for an easy assembly, which I find lacking in the Slumberpod (alos why it makes for a great Slumberpod alternative).
It only took me a few minutes to set up the Hiccapop blackout tent, while the Slumberpod was more challenging and took about 5-6 minutes. So yes, this is my top Slumberpod alternative option!
The Pros:
– cheaper
– has a camera pocket
– has a fan pocket
– soft breathable fabric
– has a lower and an upper “door”
– cheaper than Slumberpod
– has a lifetime guarantee
– easier assembly with color-coded hooks
– compact and fits in a suitcase for easy travel
– comes with a carry bag
The Cons:
– not a complete blackout
– a few parents complained of the inside getting warm, but this wasn’t a deal breaker for us since we used a fan
2. Guava Lotus Travel Crib plus Fun Shade
The Guava Lotus travel crib is one of the best travel cribs available in the market. It is compact, lightweight, yet super sturdy (making it a GREAT Slumberpod alternative ). It’s perfect for traveling, easy to bring along, and comes with an “airport-friendly” backpack-style case. Moreover, it takes less than a minute to set up completely.
It can also double as a playpen and a “safe area” for your little one to play on the go. When it comes to sleep, if your infant or toddler isn’t comfortable being in a completely dark environment, then the Guava Lotus travel crib, paired with their Fun Shade, is the perfect Slumberpod alternative.
Regarding the shade, since it only covers a portion of the crib, you simply put the side that the shade doesn’t cover against the wall to create a darker, cozier environment.
Unlike the Slumberpod, it can also be used outdoors! * CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Related: Guava Lotus Travel Crib: Is it Worth it?
3. Dofilachy Pack N Play Canopy Cover
If you’re looking for a more affordable Slumberpod alternative, the Dofilachy Pack N Play canopy cover is a great option. It’s made of breathable, light-shielding fabric that creates a dark and cozy sleeping environment.
This cover fits perfectly over most standard rectangular playards, pack-and-plays, travel cribs, and portable travel cribs. You can adjust the brightness of the light by opening the panels on both sides, which can also be fully or partially opened for easy access to your child. The cover is also portable and easy to carry during travel.
To use it, simply stretch the cover over your chosen pack-and-play and tie it in each corner. * CHECK CURRENT PRICE
In Conclusion
Slumberpod is an excellent investment for frequent travelers who spend a lot of time on vacation. It provides more space for your little one, and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. However, it’s important to note that there are many other great options out there that serve as an alternative to Slumberpod.
These alternatives have their own advantages and disadvantages, and many of them are more affordable and pack quite small, making them easy to carry in your suitcase.
Related: Is WayB Pico Car Seat Worth the Hype? My Review
Places You Can Use the Slumberpod or Slumberpod Dupe
– cruises
– hotels
– at home
– Airbnb / VRBO
– grandmas house
– camper (a friend of mine has a 26 foot but they took out the dinette for their little ones’ sleeping area to fit the Slumberpod)
and many more!
PS: Thinking of taking a trip with your toddlers? Whether it’s Las Vegas or Paris I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my recent posts.
1. 3 Best Hotels Near the Sphere Las Vegas
2. 5 Best Family Things To Do in Las Vegas Off the Strip
3. 5 Things to Do in Paris With a Toddler Mini Guide
Slumberpod FAQs
1. What is Slumberpod compatible with?
Slumberpod is compatible with playards up to 44 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 38 inches tall, including but not limited to the following playard models: 4moms® breeze® playard, BABYBJORN® Travel Crib Light, Baby Trend® Deluxe Nursery Center, Cosco Funsport® Play Yard, Dream On Me Portable Playard, Dream On Me Travel Light Play Yard, Evenflo® Portable Deluxe Playard, Fisher-Price® Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard, Graco Pack-n-play®, Graco® Travel Lite Crib, Guava Family® Lotus Play Yard, Foundations Essentials Portable Travel Yard, KidCo® Travel Pod Portable Playard, Nuna™ SENA™ Aire Travel Crib, phil&teds® Traveller™ Portable Crib and many more.
SlumberPod also fits most mini-cribs including Babyletto Mini Crib, Bloom Alma Mini-crib, DaVinci Emily 2-in1 Mini-crib, Dream On Me Aden 4-in-1, Delta Children portable crib, and LA Baby® The Original Bedside Manor Mini Crib.
SlumberPod is ALSO compatible with several cots and small inflatable mattresses (using the recommended ages for use) including the Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed™, Ozark Trial Kids Camping Airbed, & Baby Delight Go with Me Bungalow Deluxe Portable Travel Cot.
The full list can be found on the Slumberpod website.
2. Do you have any tips for flying with a Slumberpod?
When flying with a Slumberpod, you can pack it and place it in a checked suitcase. Get one that is large enough so it has more than enough room for all of your little ones’ things.
3. How do you keep the Slumberpod from not being too hot?
If you’re concerned with the Slumberpod getting too hot then consider getting one with a fan to ensure proper ventilation. Your little one should be much more comfortable with the fan on.
4. Is there a Slumberpod rental available?
If you’re looking for a Slumberpod rental, you can use Babyquip.com or Rents4baby.com.
My Top Resources for Traveling Like a Pro
As an experienced traveler with over 6 years of booking and planning trips for my family and over 10 years of exploring the world solo, I have curated a list of the most reliable and efficient websites for travel planning.
1. Best deals for Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars: Expedia.
2. Excursions and Activities: Viator.
3. Free Airport Lounge Access: Priority Pass through Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you access to over 1400 airport lounges around the world.
Amazon Storefront Travel Favorites
Don’t forget to visit my Amazon storefront, where you’ll find thoughtfully curated selections of travel essentials.
1. Traveling with a Toddler
2. Travel Essentials
3. Airport Outfit Ideas
Read More
Traveling with Toddlers? You might also enjoy these posts.
1. 3 Best Toddler Travel Bed Options to Use After Pack and Play 😴
2. Babyzen YoYo2 Stroller Review and Pros/Cons
3. Is Slumberpod Worth It? Honest Slumberpod Review ✈️
4. 10 Proven and Effective Ways to Pop Your Toddlers Ears on a Plane 👂
5. Top 3 Easy Ways to Transport a Car Seat Through the Airport 🌴
Written by: Melanie Suggs
Melanie is a former ICU nurse, a coffee lovin’ mama of two, and a frequent flier who has visited 17+ countries, lived overseas in Asia, Europe, and the States, and has taken her toddlers on over 30 flights all over the world and even more domestic ones.
With her extensive experience in flying and traveling with children, she has developed a passion for helping families travel easily through travel tips, honest gear reviews, and recommendations in her blog posts.
Updated and Reviewed by Melanie Suggs on July 26, 2025.
