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.