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Joie Kubbie Sleep review
A versatile travel cot which is cocoon-like in the way it nurtures and grows with your baby, the Joie Kubbie Sleep is a brilliant choice for new parents or anyone who wants to keep their child near as they sleep.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Dec 15, 2022
Verdict in 10 seconds
- An adaptable bedside travel cot that feels like a co-sleeper, which means easier access to your baby during the night
- It isn’t the cheapest cot on the market but includes features such as a dropped side
Reasons to buy
- It has straps that can be used to tether the cot to the side of the bed so it can be used like a co-sleeper
- The side rolls down giving you easy access to your baby
- Great for parents who want to keep their baby next to them, particularly during night feeds
- It’s versatile and can be used from birth up until your child is three years old
- Bassinet included that zips securely inside the top of the cot
Reasons to avoid
- The price tag could put parents off
- Too small to be used as a playpen
- The only thing that can be washed in the machine is the carry bag it comes in
What are the key features?
- Comes with a full-size bassinet that attaches and detaches easily
- Lift and lower side panel means easy access to baby for changing and feeding, and peace of mind for parents
- It comes in two colours – Foggy Gray and Satellite
- Strap and clip attachment locks the cot tightly to the bed and to keep baby secure
- Compact frame – easy to pack down into a travel bag
- Mesh-lined ventilation on all four sides plus a zip-open side for easy entry
- Removable mattress for playtime or naptime
- Two wheels
What are the specs?
- Suitable from: Birth up to three years (15kg)
- Dimensions: W 59.5 x L 99 x H 80.5 cm
- Folded dimensions: W 25 x L 27 x H 80.5 cm
- Weight: 8.79kg
- RRP: £115
- Testing certification: BS EN716-1/2:2017
- Mattress and carry bag included
"The Joie is really easy to put up and collapse."
How safe is the Joie Kubbie Sleep?
The designers of the Joie Kubbie have gone all out to make sure baby remains safe and secure whether you have the crib tethered to the bed or you’re using it as a standalone travel cot.
Everything is well made and well finished, down to the smallest detail, including hiding zips behind hook and loop coverings so small fingers can’t get to them.
The frame is strong and sturdy with a locking system that can only be released on each side by pushing a button and breathable mesh sides not only allow airflow through the cot but also let you to see your baby more easily.
The wheels, which make the cot easier to transport when folded, tuck into the plastic feet when upright. This means that they are off the ground at all times so the cot can't roll away.
A lovely padded mattress, which is kept straight by inserting metal poles into the underside, fits both the bassinet and the main cot snugly, making it a comfortable place for your baby to sleep.
If you’re worried the cot could topple over, fear not – our tester, Ruth's, Joie Kubbie was jumped on, run into and fallen onto, and withstood being battered from all angles.
How easy is it to assemble?
The Joie comes with a standard instruction manual, but there is also a handy card attached to the travel cot which meant that Ruth could assemble it without having to look at the manual – a nice touch that simplified assembly even further, especially as the instructions were already well thought out and easy to follow.
But, if you were to lose the manual or travel without it, the booklet can also be downloaded as a PDF from the Joie website. There is also a helpful online video that explains how to assemble and collapse the cot.
The cot comes in four separate parts – the main cot, a bassinet, mattress and straps to tether it to the bed.
Putting the cot up is quick and easy and takes no longer than a couple of minutes. If you’re using the bassinet attachment and it is already zipped in then the only thing you have to do is place the mattress inside.
The bassinet can be unzipped and removed easily if you don’t need to use it.
Wheels at the base of the travel cot make transportation easy, and the Joie Kubbie passed the durability test with flying colours after being assembled and collapsed repeatedly.
Pressing the buttons on each side of the frame unlocks it and a handle in the centre of the base allows you to pull it up to fold. The instructions state that the base must be pulled up in the centre slightly before the frame is unlocked.
How does it look?
A lot of the travel cots we tested came in different shades of muted grey which fitted nicely in Ruth's home.
The Joie Kubbie is no different and comes in two shades, Foggy Gray and Satellite, and there isn’t much between them. If you are looking for something more colourful or bright, like the Littlelife Arc 2, then the Joie Kubbie unfortunately won’t give you that option.
However, it is made out of a high quality fabric, with ventilated mesh sides and will make a stylish addition to your bedroom without looking bulky or out of place.
What’s it like using it day-to-day?
The Joie Kubbie Sleep is not your standard travel cot. It allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night while providing a safe and snug environment for daytime naps.
When you’re using the travel cot without the bassinet there is a handy panel which can be unzipped which makes it easier to take your baby in and out, saving bad backs all round.
The cot is compact so will fit neatly next to the bed if you’re using it with the bassinet in co-sleeping mode, or you could place it in the corner of the room.
It’s also not too heavy at just over 8kg, sitting in the mid-weight range compared to other travel cots on the market. This means that you could pick it up and move it around, although we’d recommend collapsing the Joie Kubbie to get it through the door so that you don't cause any accidental damage to the cot or door frame.
While it is a little too narrow to be used as a playpen, if you needed to place your child somewhere safe while you hung out the washing or answered the front door then the Joie Kubbie is ideal.
It’s also sturdy enough for long- or short-term use so could be used in place of a traditional cot if needed, although we would recommend buying one separately.
Ruth used the travel cot at home in her bedroom and also took it to the grandparents', where it fit snugly into a box room used as an office. Her 18-month-old settled into the travel cot well in both locations and particularly liked the co-sleeping element of it. It was also used without the bassinet when he was napping without a parent in the bed next to him.
The cot comes with a handy carry bag so you can pack it down and stow it in the boot of your car if you plan to use it for holidays or overnight stays. When not in use, Ruth stored the travel cot in a cupboard, but it would just as easily fit under the stairs.
How easy is it to clean?
The Kubbie Sleep doesn’t come with a cot sheet and the only thing that is machine-washable is the travel cot’s carry bag, which makes keeping it clean fairly tricky. A mattress protector and cot sheet could save it from milk and dribble stains though.
As the crib is fairly light in colour, it easily attracts dirt, but it can be spot cleaned which Ruth found fairly easy to do – however stubborn stains required a bit more elbow grease. The parts of the frame which weren't covered by material were also very easy to wipe down with a cloth.
What about value for money?
While the Kubbie isn't the cheapest travel cot on the market, it's certainly not the most expensive either.
If you’re looking for a cot that offers good longevity, versatility and peace of mind, then we think it's well worth the price tag.
Final verdict?
Overall, we think the Joie Kubbie Sleep is a real steal and the co-sleeping element a huge plus for first-time parents.
Whether you’re going on holiday, staying with friends or using it at a relative’s house, the Joie has got all angles covered, which is why it’s been crowned Mumsnet Best Travel Cot.
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All prices correct at time of publication