Buying guide
Space-Saving Play and Bath
Updated How we research
Playtime and bath gear that folds flat and tucks away in a closet or corner. The page is split into four sections (Bathe in a tub that folds away; Contain play in a compact pen; Roll out a foldable play mat; Baby-proof doorways in an apartment), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 14 picks. Our scores range from 7.1 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Bammax Extra Large 78" x 70" XPE Foam Baby Play Mat with Travel Bag, Anti-Slip, Waterproof, Foldable. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Regalo Easy Step 49-Inch Extra Wide Baby Gate, Includes 4-Inch and 12-Inch Extension Kit, Black. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Stokke Flexi Bath X-Large Baby Bathtub, White Grey - Lightweight, Foldable & Easy to Store. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Cumbor 29.7-40.6" Baby Gate for Stairs, Pressure Mounted Auto-Close Walk Thru Door, Black. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Bathe in a tub that folds away
- Stokke Flexi Bath X-Large Baby Bathtub, White Grey - Lightweight, Foldable & Easy to StoreOur score8.4/10
- Stokke Flexi Bath Bundle - Foldable Bathtub + Newborn Support, Sandy BeigeOur score8.2/10
- Skip Hop Infant Bath Tub 3-Stage Grow With Baby Smart Sling MOBY Bathtub, GreyOur score7.3/10
- Fisher-Price™ Baby to Toddler Bath 4-in-1 Sling 'N Seat Tub with Removable Infant Support and 2 Toys, Pacific PebbleOur score7.1/10
Contain play in a compact pen
- Graco Pack and Play Portable Playard, Push Button Compact Fold, CarnivalOur score8.3/10
- Graco Pack 'n Play FoldLite Playard - Lightweight Travel Playard with Compact Fold, RemiOur score8.3/10
- Baby Trend Portable Playard with Bassinet, Twinkle GreyOur score8.0/10
- Dream On Me Zodiak Portable Playard, Compact for Travel, Carry Bag, BlackOur score7.3/10
Roll out a foldable play mat
Baby-proof doorways in an apartment
- Regalo Easy Step 49-Inch Extra Wide Baby Gate, Includes 4-Inch and 12-Inch Extension Kit, BlackOur score8.4/10
- Cumbor 29.7-40.6" Baby Gate for Stairs, Pressure Mounted Auto-Close Walk Thru Door, BlackOur score8.4/10
- Cumbor 29.7-48" Baby Gate for Stairs, Auto Close Pressure Mounted Child Gate with Walk Thru Door, GrayOur score8.4/10
- Regalo Safety 36" Extra Tall Baby Gate, Bottom of Stairs & DoorwaysOur score7.9/10
All 14 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Bammax Extra Large 78" x 70" XPE Foam Baby Play Mat with Travel Bag, Anti-Slip, Waterproof, Foldable
Bammax's extra large 78" x 70" XPE foam baby play mat is waterproof, anti-slip and foldable with a travel bag.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 78" x 70" size gives crawlers plenty of room to explore
- + Waterproof XPE foam wipes clean after spills
- + Travel bag makes it easy to take to grandparents
- - Extra large mat covers most of a small living room floor
- - Foam folds can leave creases for the first few days
#2Stokke's Flexi Bath X-Large in white grey is a lightweight foldable baby bathtub with a roomier shape for longer use.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Folds flat, so it can hang on a hook or slide behind the washer
- + X-Large size gives growing kids more room than the standard Flexi
- + Lightweight body is easy to carry and fill in a small bathroom
- - Larger tub needs more water and more space on the tub floor
- - Check that the newborn support insert is included before buying
#3Regalo's black Easy Step 49-Inch extra wide baby gate includes a 4-Inch and 12-Inch extension kit for wide openings.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 4-Inch and 12-Inch extensions help it fit open-plan layouts
- + 49-Inch extra wide build spans living room and kitchen openings
- + Black finish looks modern against dark floors and trim
- - Extra wide gates flex more in the middle than narrow gates
- - Extensions add joints that need checking and tightening
#4Cumbor's black 29.7-40.6" pressure mounted baby gate has an auto-close walk thru door for doorways and stairs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Auto-close door swings shut behind you when your hands are full
- + Pressure mount installs without drilling, a plus for renters
- + 29.7-40.6" range fits most standard doorways and halls
- - Pressure mounts are generally not advised for the top of stairs
- - Bottom bar across the doorway can be a tripping point
#5Cumbor's gray 29.7-48" auto close pressure mounted child gate with walk thru door covers wider apartment openings.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 29.7-48" range covers both standard and wider openings
- + Auto close door saves reaching back to latch the gate
- + No-drill pressure mount keeps rental walls intact
- - Use hardware mounting instead of pressure for top-of-stairs spots
- - Wider settings rely on extensions that add some flex
#6Graco's Pack and Play portable playard in Carnival has a push button compact fold for travel and small living rooms.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Push button fold makes packing up quick after naps
- + Graco playards have wide support for sheets and mattresses
- + Doubles as a contained play space and a travel sleeper
- - Carnival print will not suit every living room decor
- - Included pad is thin, like most playards
#7Graco's Pack 'n Play FoldLite in Remi is a lightweight travel playard with a compact fold for trips and small homes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Lightweight FoldLite frame is easy to carry to the car
- + Compact fold takes less trunk and closet room
- + Graco brand means sheets and accessories are easy to find
- - Lighter frame skips bassinet and changer extras
- - Remi pattern may show wear after many trips
#8Stokke's foldable Flexi Bath sold as a bundle with the Newborn Support insert. The listing covers newborns to age four, and the tub folds flat to store in a small bathroom.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Folds flat for storage and travel, which is the main reason to pick it for a small bathroom or a shared apartment tub.
- + Bundle includes the Newborn Support, which the listing rates for babies up to eight months or 17.6 lbs.
- + Listing states JPMA certification and ASTM compliance, plus a non-slip base and a heat-sensitive drain plug that changes color.
- - The bundle costs more than the tub alone, so it is poor value if you only need a bath for an older baby or toddler.
- - The Newborn Support is outgrown at eight months or 17.6 lbs per the listing, and then it is one more item to store.
#9Baby Trend's Twinkle Grey portable playard with bassinet gives a newborn sleep spot and a play space in one.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Bassinet insert keeps newborns at a raised level
- + Grey finish blends into living rooms and bedrooms
- + Baby Trend pricing is friendly for a multi-use item
- - Bassinet adds weight and pieces to pack for travel
- - Check the folded dimensions if trunk or closet space is tight
#10Regalo's 36 inch Extra Tall gate is a pressure-mounted walk-through gate for doorways, hallways and the bottom of stairs. Listed fits are 29 to 31.5 inches, or 34 to 36.5 inches with a 4 inch extension.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Stands 36 inches tall, for doorways and hallways where the listing says extra height is needed.
- + Pressure mount design with a walk-through door and a locking system, so adults pass without stepping over.
- + From a brand the listing describes as certified by the Baby Safety Alliance, with over 30 years in baby gates.
- - The listing says wall cups must be used and that the gate must never be used at the top of stairs.
- - Width range is narrow: the listed fits are 29 to 31.5 inches, or 34 to 36.5 inches with the extension.
#11Skip Hop's grey 3-stage MOBY Smart Sling bathtub grows with baby from sling support to sitting in a single tub.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3-stage design lasts from newborn sling to sitting-up baths
- + Smart Sling cradles small babies without a separate insert
- + Grey color stays neutral in any bathroom
- - Rigid tub does not fold, which is a drawback in tight bathrooms
- - Sling fabric needs to dry fully to avoid mildew
#12Dream On Me's Zodiak is a budget portable playard measuring 40 x 27.5 x 27.5 inches with full mesh sides, a removable mattress pad and a carry bag. Listed up to 35 inches, 30 lbs, or when a child tries to climb out.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Compact 40 x 27.5 inch footprint that the listing calls ideal for apartments, bedrooms or shared spaces.
- + Tool-free setup with a quick-fold frame, and a carry bag is included for travel or overnight stays.
- + Full mesh panels promote airflow and make it easy to see the child during play.
- - A basic playard: no bassinet insert, changing station or wheels are mentioned in the listing.
- - The listing does not give the folded size or the weight, which matters when closet space is tight.
#13A large cotton educational tummy time mat that is foldable, non-slip and padded for crawling babies.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cotton surface feels softer than plastic foam mats
- + Foldable padded mat stores neatly in a closet
- + Educational prints give babies something to look at
- - Cotton is harder to wipe clean than waterproof foam
- - Title gives no size, so check it fits your floor space
#14A four-stage Fisher-Price tub with a mesh newborn sling and a Sit-Me-Up insert. It does not fold, but it has a hook for hanging and fits most sinks and adult bathtubs per the listing.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Four stages from newborn sling to open toddler tub, so one tub covers the whole period up to the listed 25 lb maximum.
- + Hanging hook and drain plug let it dry and store on a wall or door instead of taking up floor space.
- + Comes with the soft mesh sling, the Sit-Me-Up insert and two bath toys, so there is nothing extra to buy.
- - It is a rigid tub that does not fold or collapse, so it needs a hook or a shelf rather than a drawer.
- - The listing gives a 25 lb maximum but no dimensions, so check the product page against your sink before buying.
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Small Space Baby curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.