Chicco is just the kind of household brand name I trust.
Why?
One reason above all – their approach to safety testing. In what they call the Happiness Laboratory, Chicco both comes up with and tests their products.
I’m talking about real-life tests, with the participation of the little end-users, the babies.
And it’s not just my trust they’ve earned; Chicco is one of the best-renowned baby brands in the world.
With a 60+ year-long track record of quality and safety, the Italian company sells baby products in over 120 countries worldwide.
My Chicco LullaGo bassinet review
The products we’re interested in today are the three portable bassinets from the Chicco Lullago series: Portable, Anywhere Portable, and Nest Portable.
Over the last year, these bassinets have been one of the most requested review candidates. About 6 months ago, I started gathering intel to write a proper in-depth analysis.
So, here we are, armed with data, locked and ready to do a deep-dive into all things Lullago.
How do the Chicco LullaGo bassinets compare to each other
We’ll take a moment here to get some clarity on what they have in common and what sets them apart.
We won’t get into the details here
This comparison section is for reference purposes to paint a broader picture. We’ll get to the nitty-gritty in the individual reviews.
What the LullaGo bassinets have in common
Sturdy Metal Frame
All three bassinets use the same material for the frame. It’s sturdy yet lightweight.
All easy to assemble/disassemble
They all feature the same clap-on design of the legs. It typically takes a few minutes to set them up the first time and about a minute each time after that.
The dimensions of the disassembled and folded Lullagos don’t vary significantly because they all feature a “flat fold” design.
Height
All three models are within a 1.25 inches range of height – Nest at 27, Anywhere at 28, and the Classic at 28.25 inches.
Materials
Breathable mesh for the sides and soft removable fabric dominate the design of all three models. All the fabric is removable and can be washed, except the canopy of the Nest.
The Nest is also “richer” and has a bit more padding in some areas.
Color
Chicco gets creative with the color names in the Lullago series (like sandstone, grey star, Iris, sand) but, to be real, they’re all gray.
Different shades, sure, but still gray.
If you want some color pizzazz, you’ll have to get creative with the sheets.
What set the LullaGo travel bassinets apart
Size & weight – Nest > Classic > Anywhere
The Nest is the bulkiest, heaviest, and has the biggest sleeping surface. Anywhere is the lightest and smallest of the three, and the Classic Lullago fits somewhere in between.
Waterproof mattress – only in Lullago Anywhere
Only the mattress of the Lullago Anywhere is waterproof. The Classic and the Nest feature a zip-off mattress pad (about 3/4 inches thick) that you can remove and wash, but the mattresses are not waterproof.
Price – Nest > Classic > Anywhere
The Nest has the richest feel about it, and it costs the most.
I would attribute the high-end feel to three things: the extra few inches in size, a bit more fabric in some areas, and the canopy.
The Anywhere is the smallest, lightest, and has the lowest price tag of the three.
Moving on to the individual reviews.
Chicco Lullago Portable bassinet
Features of the Chicco LullaGo at a glance
- Strong metal legs that snap onto the frame
- Side panels are mesh almost all the way/down
- Solid mattress with a zip-off machine-washable mattress pad
- All the fabrics on the bassinet can be removed/washed
- Folds flat and comes with a dedicated carry bag
Dimensions | 27 x 22 x 36 “ (8 x 22 x 20 “ when folded) |
Weight | 14.5 lbs |
Height adjustable | no |
Warranty | 2 years for manufacturing defects |
Weight limit | 20 lbs or until the baby starts to push down |
What’s good about it
Travel-friendly and easy to move around
This is a simple, light, minimalistically designed portable bassinet.
Its main strong point stems from that – it’s one the most travel-friendly bassinets out there. It’s one of the easiest to move around the house.
It takes about a minute to set it up and down, easy to pack, and weighs only 14 pounds.
It doesn’t get much better than that if you are looking for a good travel bassinet and overnight solution.
Budget-friendly
Chicco is known for being conservatively priced. The LullaGo portable bassinet is perhaps the best example of that.
If you ask me, I’d put it in my personal top 5 in the price range, perhaps even top 3.
Materials are just right
Mesh on the side panels goes almost all the way up/down, which is at it should be for a safe, well-ventilated bassinet. The soft, machine washable materials still feel solid and change very little with washing.
What I liked most
For dynamic families, a bassinet that you can set up in about 2-3 minutes is a God-sent.
It also won’t make a significant dent in your budget. It’s good enough to be your primary bassinet and, yet, not too expensive for a secondary travel crib.
Chicco strikes the right balance here.
What could be better
The mattress is not waterproof. The fact that it comes with a washable zip-off pad makes up for it, to a point.
If you do choose the Chicco Lullago, I’d recommend using it with a waterproof fitted mattress cover.
Chicco LullaGo Anywhere Portable Bassinet
Features at a glance
- Ultralight, packs down small, and it’s easy to carry in the included bag
- Small footprint makes it easy to fit into small spaces and move around the house
- Sturdy metal legs that easily clip-on to the frame
- The waterproof mattress is easy to maintain and clean
- Mesh used for the side panels and the storage pockets
Dimensions | 35 x 23 x 28 “5.5″ x 28.15″ x 18.5″ (when folded) |
Weight | 12 lbs |
Height adjustable | no |
Warranty | 2 years for manufacturing defects *** |
Weight limit | 20 lbs or until the baby starts to push down |
Age limit | n/a |
Its strongest sides
Another level of travel-friendly
Chicco Lullago takes portability and being travel-friendly to a whole new level. The “basic” bassinet of the Lullago series does a great job here, and Anywhere takes it a step further.
It’s a bit lighter, a bit smaller, and just as sturdy and easy to assemble.
Solid material choices
The material choices similar to the other bassinets in the series but are easier to clean and more accident-resistant.
Mesh side panels allow for good airflow and visibility, and the rest of the fabric is removable and machine washable, including the mattress cover.
Waterproof, firm yet cushy mattress
Unlike in the Lullago Classic, the mattress of the Anywhere is waterproof. This fits into the overall intent of the design – to make it easy to use on-the-move.
The mattress is firm but has a thin layer of cushioning.
It feels well-made, which is, again, not a given at this price point.
The most affordable of the three LullaGos
Out of the three bassinets in the series, the Anywhere will be the gentlest to your wallet. It does make sense because I see many people choosing it as their secondary bassinet.
The important point here is that I didn’t see any red lights or skimping on the quality of the materials.
It’s fair to say that it’s atypically good for the price.
What could be improved
It’s not easy to comment on what I’d improve on products like Chicco LullaGo Anywhere…because of the price.
Knowing what I know about the manufacturing costs of portable bassinets, I can say that there’s little room for improvement without jacking up the price.
Let me be clear – of course some things could be better, but not without pushing the product into the higher price range.
With that said, there is one thing that comes to mind – offering sheets for this exact mattress size and shape.
The bassinet does come with a fitted sheet included, but the mattress size is not compatible with most standard crib sheets.
Chicco LullaGo Nest portable bassinet
Features at a glance:
- Side panels made of breathable mesh
- The crib mattress comes with a zip-off washable mattress pad
- Easy setup – metal legs click into place
- All fabrics are removable and machine-washable
- Comes with an adjustable canopy
Dimensions | 36 x 22 x 27 “(8″ x 22″ x 20″ – folded dimensions) |
Weight | 17 lbs |
Height adjustable | no |
Warranty | 2 years for manufacturing defects *** |
Weight limit | 20 lbs or until the baby starts to push down |
Age limit | n/a |
What parents like most about the bassinet
Roomier than expected, still easy to travel with
If you only knew the Classic Lullago and the Lullago Anywhere, the Nest would definitely surprise you when it comes to the sleep surface.
A comfy 32 x 18 ” sleeping surface for the baby sets the Nest apart from the rest of the Lullago series.
The flip side of the extra room is that it’s a peg bulkier and heavier (17 pounds when assembled).
Adjustable canopy
The Nest is the only bassinet in the series that comes with an adjustable canopy to protect your baby from aggressive light.
The removable canopy comes with two hanging toys.
It’s the only part of the bassinets that’s not washable and should be spot-cleaned.
A bit more heft to the materials in just the right places
The materials used for the Lullago series are similar, but the Nest has more of a high-end feel to it.
At first glance, it’s the canopy that adds to the overall impression, but you’ll also notice slight differences in the design if you take a closer look. The edges are wider and there’s a bit more heft to the material on the frame corners.
It’s the little things like that that make a difference.
Final thoughts on the Lullago portable bassinet series
Chico advertises the series of bassinets as “home-away-from-home.” And rightfully so, at least in my opinion.
Lightweight, solid frame and legs, soft washable fabrics, nice mesh for the side panels, small packing size, included carry bag…the value is there.
There are few bassinets out there that strike as good of a balance between quality, price, and portability as the Chicco Lullago series.
Two thumbs up from me.
Paul is a passionate dad who founded Upside Dad to share his parenting journey with other new parents. He graduated from Concordia University and worked as a test engineer for over a decade. Paul loves dad jokes and craft beer.
Learn more about Paul and Upside Dad here.