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The Best Baby Playpens (UK Reviews) in 2023

Table of Contents

Comparison Table

Product

Title

Features

Price

Our choice

The best baby playpens

Hadwin 14 Panel Activity Center

Premium Pick

The best baby playpens

Venture All Stars DUO

Best Value

The best baby playpens

HI SUYI Portable Baby Playpen

The best baby playpens

Our Choice

Hadwin 14 Panel Activity Center

Buy this product if you have an awkward shaped room.

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Premium Pick

Venture All Stars DUO

Buy this product if you want to save money as it includes mats and balls.

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Best Value

HI SUYI Portable Baby Playpen

Buy this product if you want something fun for your children to play in

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Exqline Pop Up Large Baby Playpen

Buy this product if you want want an easy to assemble playpen.

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Hadwin Foldable Baby Playpen

Buy this product if you have a large family or need it for multiple children

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Millhouse Plastic Baby Playpen With Mats

Buy this product if you don’t have carpet.

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Hadwin 6 Panel Portable Playpen

Buy this product if you have one or two babies

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

The best baby playpens

Dreambaby Royale Converta 3-in-1 Playpen

Buy this product if you have use for a fireplace cover or room divider as well as a playpen.

Pros

Cons

Check out the last deal for this product

Baby Playpen buying guide and FAQ

What is a Playpen and Do You Need One?

The Cambridge Dictionary definition of a playpen says a ‘small structure with bars or a net around the side but open at the top and you can put a baby in to play safely.’

This is pretty self-explanatory and as long as it can be played in safely it constitutes a playpen.

But do you need one? This is dependent on your situation and having one can be very helpful. They allow you to get your housework done whilst not having to constantly be carrying or checking on your baby.

They can also be helpful for your baby’s development and allows them to interact with other children in a controlled environment.

A bonus of using a playpen when it comes to ball pit balls is that it keeps them contained rather than them being all over the house.

Choosing the Best Baby Play Pen for you Baby

There are a few things you need to take into account when choosing the best playpen for your baby and these things will determine which one you buy. 

Floor space – Make sure you check the floor size of the unit you are looking to buy. Measure the floor area you have available and then compare it to the unit you are looking at.

If you have a funny shaped room, make sure your unit can be changed to fit the area.

Strength – Some babies can be heavy, and strong, so getting a playpen that can support their weight is paramount. You want to avoid injury then invest in a stronger frame such as steel.

Lightweight – Your baby playpen will be moved a lot, you’ll need to move it to clean, move it to get to things behind it, and what not so make sure it’s lightweight so it’s easy to move.

Easy to pack away – Making sure you have a unit that’s easy to pack away is essential if you aren’t going to leave it out full time. You’ll find yourself needing to pack this away regularly so an easy setup and pack down is great.

Types of Baby Playpen

You can get a few different types of baby playpen and knowing each one will help you with your decision on what one to buy.

Wooden – Wooden playpens are the nicer looking ones but can be more difficult to pack away. You can also find that wooden playpens will get bitten by teething children and leave marks.

Plastic – Plastic playpens are quite popular and come in lots of different styles. The good thing about them is that you can usually build these in a shape to suite your room.

Pop up – Pop-up playpens aren’t as popular as they don’t really hold children in them, they are very easy to get out of. They are better for older children who can come in and out as they please.

Metal structured – These are another popular design for the best playpens and pack away nice and small. They build up using the poles and have a fabric frame, these usually have a base included.

How Much Does a Baby Playpen Cost?

Baby playpens range in price but you shouldn’t be looking at spending any more than £120 or any less than £40. Spending less than £40 could result in a very poor-quality unit and there is no need to spend any more than £120 for a decent playpen.

Important Safety Points for Baby Playpens

It’s important that, although playpens are for fun, you should follow the safety tips to ensure that the children don’t harm themselves.

– Make sure your unit has a safety mark.
– Never leave a child alone in a playpen
– Keep up to date with cleaning your playpen
– Don’t leave large items in the playpen
– Don’t position your playpen near an open fire or radiator
– Make sure your playpen has an open top and nothing is obstructing it
– Avoid placing playpens near open doors or windows

What Age is it Safe to Put a Baby in a Playpen?

Most playpens are suitable for children aged 6 months upwards.

You’ll need to make sure you check the upper limit as some playpens have a weight restriction, such as ones that have frames, so older children won’t be able to play with them for the risk of them breaking.

The most common upper bracket for age is 36 months.

Do you really need a baby playpen?

We would recommend that you invest in a baby playpen for the early part of your baby’s life.

Once a child gets older, an indoor climbing frame or ball pit might be better suited and more enjoyable for a toddler.

You need a playpen if you are struggling to get housework done whilst looking after your baby, they can be a great tool to aide you whilst you find your feet and get into a routine.

How Long Can I use a Baby Playpen For?

Having a playpen shouldn’t mean you just leave your baby in there to play all day long. 

You should still make an effort to stimulate your baby in other ways such as reading with them, doing puzzles, colouring, and drawing. 

These types of activities will keep your child’s brain stimulated and actually help them sleep at night.

Kate the toddler review

The author: Jose Martinez

Hi there! My name is Jose, and I’m a proud dad to a beautiful 4 year old. As a parent, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the world of parenting and child-rearing. There are so many choices to make, from the foods we feed our little ones to the toys we buy them to the clothes they wear. But one thing that’s always been important to me is finding the best products available for my child.

At www.toddlerreview.com, we take a data-driven approach to our product reviews. Our team of expert reviewers spends hours conducting online research, analyzing product specifications, and comparing products to identify the best options available. We also take into account feedback from other parents and users to ensure that we’re recommending products that are tried and true. Our reviews are based on a combination of objective data and subjective opinions, so you can feel confident that we’re providing you with the most accurate and reliable information possible.

We know that as parents, you want to be sure that you’re making the best choices for your little ones. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. Our team of reviewers conducts extensive online research to identify the top-rated products in each category. We then compare these products based on factors like safety, durability, ease of use, and practicality to determine which ones are the best options for parents. We also take into account feedback from other parents and users to ensure that we’re recommending products that have been tested and approved by real people.

At www.toddlereview.com, we understand that not everyone has the time or resources to conduct hands-on testing with every product they’re considering. That’s why we rely on feedback from other parents and users to inform our reviews. We scour online reviews and ratings to get a sense of how products perform in real-life situations. We also take into account feedback from our own team of reviewers who may have tested the product firsthand. Our testing process is based on a combination of objective data and subjective opinions, so you can feel confident that we’re providing you with the most accurate and reliable information possible.

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