SlumberPod, Is it worth it?

Ok guys so if you have not already purchased a SlumberPod like us then I know that you have atleast seen videos and reviews and everyone that has a child of toddler age and younger talking about using one. A SlumberPod is essentially a blackout tent that goes over a pack ‘n play for when your child is sleeping while you are traveling.

SlumberPod over Tripps pack ‘n play in our hotel room.

So like I said we do not own one but our family members do and let us borrow it so we could see how it worked and how amazing it is like everyone is talking about. The first night we got to the hotel we didn’t end up using it because it was late, Tripp was ready for bed and I had no idea what I was doing and how to put it together. So the next morning the first thing we did was put it up so we were ready for bed that night.

My initial questions…

• Does it really work? How does it work?

• Is it worth the price? - Amazon & SlumberPod Site $180

  - SlumberPod website $200 w/ fan

• Is it worth having to pack and carry another bag?

Does it really work? And how do you put it together?

Yes, it totally works! It is actually amazing how well it works! If you are a parent with a little kid and your in a hotel room especially after they are asleep, you have to keep all the lights off and be as quiet as possible and if you are like us then you hang out in the bathroom haha! But once you set up the SlumberPod it is totally dark in there and your little one will not know that you have the lights on. It’s great too for those mid day naps. Without a SlumberPod an afternoon nap in the hotel room would have been almost impossible for Tripp but with the SlumberPod we were able to put him down and he actually took a great nap. He did cry for about 5 minutes but because he could not see us he laid right down and went to sleep. This was the big turning point for us because we all know a little one that is not happy because they could not get a nap while you are traveling makes for a long day for everyone. So how exactly do you put it together? The best way to do it is to put the SlumberPod over the pack ‘n play. Then get your poles out and slide them into the sleeves. Once you have slid them in then you can insert them into the ends making the tent take its shape.

1 - put SlumberPod over pack ‘n play

2 - put poles into sleeves making an X across the top

3 - put the poles into the feet making the tent take its shape.

If you try to put one side pole in and make the tent shape and then the other, like I did at first time it will not work. Once you get the hang of it then it’s easy and goes up pretty quick. Same with taking it down. Take the ends out of the bottom making it loose its tent shape and lay flat onto the pack ‘n play in the X shape and then pull them out of the sleeves to break down and put back into their carry bag.

Is is worth the Price?

This is our biggest question because $180 is a lot of money to spend. When you're traveling with kids you already have a lot of money in other things that you need to bring for them and this is a big purchase for a regular families budget. After using it for a weekend we do think it is worth the price because it absolutely does work but our goal is to catch a sale on it or to even possibly get one second hand. This past weekend for Labor Day, SlumberPod had a sale for $30 off making the price $150. I have also seen some on sale on Facebook marketplace. The price varies depending on your location and what people have it listed for so this one you may have to just keep an eye out to maybe find a good deal.

Is it worth packing another bag?

Once it is packed back down into its travel bag the size is not too big. It has its own bag that everything fits back into so it’s all in one place. Our main question that we will have to keep you updated on is traveling with it while on a plane. It’s a no brainer to throw it in the car when you're going somewhere but to pack it in your bag on a plane is the big question for us. It would easily fit into a carry on suitcase but it would take up a good amount of space. So this will be our next learning experience is how well it travels when you fly.

Top left picture - size comparison next to a Gatorade bottle of travel bag.

Top right picture - user manual attached inside of bag

Bottom picture - travel bag with folded tent and two poles collapsed down ready to store into bag.

It also has vents on the sides to get air into. There is a slot at the top that you can put your sound machine into and another slot at the top with clear plastic so you can put your monitor in so you can see your little one inside.

If you choose to purchase the fan for the SlumberPod there is a slot at the bottom to slide that into. We did not have the fan to use, however according to SlumberPod the fan does not blow directly on your little one it will circulate inside like a chimney to keep them comfortable.

Back right side, as you see above, there is a zipper opening with a mesh inside that the SlumberPod fan fits into.

All in all buying a SlumberPod is definitely worth it. The money you will spend on it and having to carry one more bag when traveling is totally worth your little one getting a good nights sleep and they will thank you because it will make their travel anything but regular!