Probably the most versatile, playpens with metal frames are usually adjustable to the shape and size of your room, with some even offering the ability to use as a fire guard or room divider. They tend to be more expensive, but often come with fold-down benefits which make them ideal for travel or for bringing out as and when required. Pop-up playpens I personally prefer the playpens with plastic or mesh sides, especially for children who are practising walking or pulling themselves up as they are less likely to hurt themselves if they fall into the sides,' Durrant adds. 'If you’re fortunate enough to have a large space at home for a playpen, there are plastic playpens made up of panels that connect together and are great for making large play areas.' What age are baby playpens suitable for? Baby playpens are not as popular as they used to be and some parents don’t like the idea of restricting their baby’s movement. Playpens can also be quite bulky, requiring a lot of space in the room. It’s also worth noting that babies should not be left unattended or unsupervised for any longer than necessary, even when they are in the relatively safe environment of a baby play pen. Without question, baby playpens need to keep your little one safe. However, they also need to be easy to set up and easy to maintain. The Regalo My Portable Play Yard Indoor and Outdoor Playpen is water-resistant for both indoor and outdoor use and is super easy to clean. All you need to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth to keep it looking its best. You can even remove the bottom and netting for a deep clean when required.

Always keep the playpen clear and ensure that it is in good condition with no holes or broken pieces of wood or plastic. Multiple Use】Washable dog pee pad is not only great for dog potty training and whelping, but also applied to carseat protector, carpet saver, puppy play pad and dog feeding. I had the Summer Infant Pop N Play, which folded really easily when we weren't using it” - recommended by Mumsnet user Swearwolf Our verdictWhen testing playpens we look at value for money, size, ability to fold and ease of assembly as well as the material the playpen is made out of.

Dimensions: 139 x 118 x 75cm | Age: Birth to 3 years | Material: Polyester | Foldable: Yes | Assembly required: No What we like The Uanlauo baby play mat is lightweight, easy to store, flexible and foldable, suitable for areas of different sizes, and can be placed next to sofas, cupboards, cabinets etc, when not in use, saving storage space and helping to restore a tidy space in your home. The mesh sides of the Costway Baby Playpen ensure complete visibility, allowing you to see your baby at all times even if you haven’t opted to climb inside yourself. I used ours for all three of my sons and all loved it. The large BabyDan one is great. It comes with a lovely, padded floor cover (my son used to always conk out for his morning nap!) and opens out to become a room divider, so is really, really useful” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user wildbhoysmama Our verdict Easy Access Zipping Door: The zipping door on one of the panels allows for easy access to the playpen and gives your child the freedom to move while ensuring their safety. It's all about flexibility.Our parent tester, Anna, says, "[This playpen] is sturdy and there are no sharp edges so it feels safe for my baby, even if he’s bouncing around in it. There are no gaps in the fabric where his small fingers could get trapped." They tend to be eye-catching and durable, but can be on the large side for modern homes. Usually fairly easy to assemble, some plastic playpens can adjust to the size of your room by removing panels. Metal-framed playpens

If you're planning to use this playpen to entertain your toddler whilst you tend to your newborn, it’s also worth noting that it doesn’t have a door. For that reason, you’ll need to be able to physically lift your child – something to bear in mind if you’ve had a c-section. There should not be any large items inside that your baby can step on and use to try and climb out. The green-coloured base might not appeal to some parents, particularly if you plan on keeping this playpen up permanently. Parent tester, Rebecca, who used this playpen for around three months says, “The colours aren’t great, but it can be folded away, which I’m glad about!” Overall, the BabyDan Deluxe Playpen is the best playpen to buy as it’s safe, attractive to look at, comfortable for your baby and incredibly flexible too. Whilst it’s not cheap, the ability to adjust and reposition the sides to suit your environment certainly makes it worth the investment. It can even be used as a room divider with additional wall fixings. How we chose our recommendations Recommendations from real parents While some iterations of playpens for babies are suitable for newborns to sleep in, Durrant tells us that children aged six to nine months will find them most beneficial. 'It’s at this stage when they may be more mobile, starting to roll, crawl or even pull themselves up that a playpen is most useful,' Durrant explains.

11. Best playpen for barrier feature: Dreambaby Mayfair Converta 3-in-1 Metal Playpen

This Dreambaby Mayfair Converta 3-in-1 unit can be configured as a playpen, but it also works as a hardware mounted fireguard or wide barrier gate for the room, stairway or hallway too. Instant Setup & Compact Design: This playpen can be erected and collapsed in seconds, making it the ideal solution for parents on the go. Its portable and compact design ensures it takes up minimal room in your home. A baby play pen, sometimes written baby playpen, provides a structure where your little one can play in safety. This means having walls of some kind that are sturdy enough to keep your child safely inside and usually a mat or soft floor. What are the different types of play pens available? Dimensions: ‎155 x 155 x 65cm | Age: Birth to 24 months | Material: Plastic | Foldable: No | Assembly required: Yes (no tools required) What we like The BabyDan hexagonal playpens are great because you can use them as a traditional playpen or use it to section off an area of the room” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user and childminder NannyR

I got this one because we have a big dog and this allows my little one and I to play without him and ensures my baby’s safe when I nip to the toilet. It's quite large but can be made smaller” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user Yokey Our verdict With an easy-open gate that swings in both directions or can be fixed in the direction of your choice, it’s a completely modular design, so you can locate the door in the place that works best for you. Here are the best playpens for babies and toddlers, as recommended by parents. Best playpens at a glance Babies should always be supervised in playpens, but in addition to this, there are a number of other safety considerations you should make when using one.All that said, may people do consider play pens a bit of a life saver when it comes to having a safe place to put your baby – whether it’s just while you answer the door or getting on with other things in the same room.