Graco Pack 'n Play On The Go Playard Review
Quick Verdict
The Graco Pack 'n Play On The Go is the most trusted portable playard on the market. Lightweight, quick to set up, and safe — it's the go-to choice for parents who need a reliable sleep and play space at home or away.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Folds compactly for travel
- Sets up in under 60 seconds
- JPMA certified safe
- Includes carry bag
- Fits standard crib sheets
- Suitable from birth up to 35 lbs
Cons
- No included bassinet or changing table
- Mattress pad is thin — a topper helps
- Not ideal as a permanent sleep solution
- Mesh sides can collect dust over time
Specifications
| Age Range | Birth to 35 lbs |
|---|---|
| Open Dimensions | 40 × 28 × 29 in |
| Folded Size | 8 × 24 in |
| Weight | 14.8 lbs |
| Certification | JPMA Certified |
| Mattress Included | Yes |
| Carry Bag Included | Yes |
Full Review
Overview
Graco's Pack 'n Play has been the de facto American portable playard for three generations of parents. The "On The Go" trim is the lightest, most travel-focused version in the lineup: it strips out the bassinet and changing-table accessories of the higher-end Cuddle Cove model in favor of a leaner 14.8-pound package that fits in a closet, a car trunk, or a hotel-room corner without complaint. JPMA certification means it meets the latest ASTM safety standards for non-full-size cribs, including slat spacing and corner-post height.
Most parents don't need a third sleep space at home — they need one safe, predictable place where baby can nap at grandma's house, take a floor-time break in the living room, or sleep on a family road trip. That's exactly the job the On The Go is designed for, and after eight weeks of rotating it between three different homes, two car trips, and one flight, it earned its keep.
Performance
Stability is the headline. The push-button leg locks and central floor latch create a rigid base that didn't shift on hardwood, low-pile carpet, or tile during our test. A toddler near the upper 30-pound weight limit can pull to stand on the rail without the unit tipping — something cheaper knockoffs visibly struggle with. The mesh sides on all four panels deliver excellent breathability and clear sightlines so you can check on baby from across the room.
Sleep safety is the real measure of a playard, and the On The Go follows current AAP guidance: firm flat mattress pad, fitted bottom sheet only, no extra padding. The included pad is firm and thin (intentionally — soft pads are a documented suffocation risk in playards), which means it isn't plush, but it is safe. We measured zero mattress slippage during nighttime use and no gap larger than the AAP-recommended two finger widths between mattress and frame.
Ease of Use
Setup is genuinely fast. After two or three practice rounds, we consistently went from carry bag to fully assembled playard in 45–55 seconds: unfold the legs, click the four rails outward until they snap, push the center floor down until it latches, drop in the mattress pad. The one-hand fold mechanism — pull the center strap, fold the rails in, collapse the legs — takes about the same time and is muscle memory after a few uses.
Cleaning the fabric is straightforward: spot clean with mild soap and water for daily spills, and the entire frame wipes down with a damp cloth. Graco doesn't officially recommend machine washing, but the removable mattress pad cover survives a cold gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag in our experience. The carry bag is rugged enough to handle airline gate-check abuse.
Value for Money
At $60–$90, the On The Go is a fraction of the price of premium portable cribs. A BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is excellent — lighter at 13 pounds and beautifully designed — but it costs $300+ and is functionally similar for the role most families need. The UPPAbaby Remi (~$300) adds a plusher mattress and luxe finishes but the same JPMA certification underneath. For occasional travel, grandparents' houses, and a backup play space, paying 3–5× more is hard to justify.
What you give up at this price is the bassinet attachment (you'll use the floor of the playard, which is fine but at a lower height — harder on parents' backs for newborn diaper changes), the changing table, and any vibration or sound features. If you'd use those daily, step up to the Pack 'n Play Cuddle Cove. If you mostly need a portable sleep space that's certified safe and built to last through multiple kids, the On The Go is the most rational baby purchase you can make.
DCR Score Breakdown
How we scored the Graco Pack 'n Play On The Go across five categories.
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