The 4Moms playard lineup consists of the breeze® Plus and breeze® Go, plus a few previous versions of their beloved Breeze lineup that have been discontinued (but you may still find for sale on used marketplaces).
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Best for Newborns
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Best for Older Babies and Toddlers
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5.0
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5.0
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$294.50
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$239.99
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I already owned one of the old 4Moms Breeze Pack and Plays (which was simply known as the Breeze), but wanted to test out the new models as well to compare the Breeze Plus and Breeze Go against my old school Breeze, figure out the difference between the Breeze Go vs Breeze Plus, and decide which of the two current models is best for every type of family.
Below, you’ll find my 4Moms Breeze review, which is actually 2 reviews in one post. I cover the Breeze Plus and the Breeze Go, and compare each of the 4moms play pens so you can decide which Breeze is best for your life – and whether the Breeze family is even the right pack and play for you. You’ll also see appearances from my old Breeze (the one with the blue mattresses).
Personal Experience and Testing for this 4Moms Breeze Review
In terms of my own personal experience owning and testing these pack and plays, I own a 4Moms Breeze (an old model that is discontinued). I also bought the new Breeze Plus for the purpose of this review.
I bought both myself, and this post isn’t sponsored by 4Moms. I didn’t buy one of the new 4Moms Breeze Go pack and plays, since the frame is exactly the same as the Breeze Plus, without the bassinet and flip changer (if you’re confused about this, I explain it all in the post below!).
All of the photos you see in this post are of my own 4Moms Breeze playards, and the insights and thoughts I’ve added to this review are from my experience using and testing the products myself.
4moms Breeze Playard, Breeze Plus and Breeze Go Reviews
Who is 4Moms?
4moms was established in 2006 by Rob Daley and Henry Thorn – not, as the name suggested to me, by 4 moms (I think it references being “for moms” not started by “four moms”).
It’s a very well established and well regarded brand, particularly well known for making high end versions of essential baby gear, including play yards, the mamaRoo® baby swing, and high chairs.
What is the 4Moms Breeze Playard?
4Moms has two pack and plays, both of which fall under the Breeze brand. The 4moms Breeze lineup currently consists of the Breeze Plus and the Breeze Go.
They are notable (and loved by parents) for being some of the easiest to use pack and plays I’ve tested. You can setup the frame with one hand in mere seconds, and collapsing when you’re done is just as easy. One push in a single motion and the frame is set up. This is a defining feature and one of the reasons parents rave about them!
I even made a 6-second GIF of me opening my 4moms playpen.
Both the Breeze Plus and Breeze Go are high quality, sturdy, easy to use, well-made and safe play yards. They’re also somewhat portable, although I will say neither Breeze can compete on portability with the best lightweight travel cribs such as the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light or the Guava Lotus Everywhere Crib (and even, to a lesser extend, the Bugaboo Stardust).
4Moms Breeze Go vs Plus
At the time of writing, 4moms offers both the Breeze Go and Breeze Plus in their lineup of Breeze play yards.
The main frame of the Breeze Go and Breeze Plus are the same, although the fabric and frame color is different, depending on which you buy. The Breeze Go comes in grey and the Breeze Plus is black.
The difference between the two models is in the accessories that come with them.
The Breeze Plus, as the name suggests, offers more bells and whistles than the Breeze Go, including a newborn bassinet, detachable flip changer (changing table), and a convertible mattress that works on the play pen floor or in the bassinet. It offers nice-to-have accessories when you have an infant, and then as baby grows, you can store those away and use it as a play pen or safe space for baby when you’re trying to get something done.
The Breeze Go offers the same durable playard, without the baby care station extras (no bassinet, no flip down changer for quick diapering and clothing changes).
Both models also come with a similar carry bag for easy transport.
For the added convenience, the Breeze Plus is more expensive than the Breeze Go.
The exact price difference varies based on the retailer and whether there are any promotions on, but it’s typically not a massive difference in price. If you have an infant, it’s likely worth getting the Plus version. If your baby is already over the bassinet weight limit of 18 lbs, or they can push up on their hands and knees, then the Go version is likely a better bet, as they will have already outgrown the infant pack and play features (unless you plan on having more kids in the future).
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Best for Newborns
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Best for Older Babies and Toddlers
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5.0
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5.0
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$294.50
|
$239.99
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4Moms Breeze Go and Breeze Plus At a Glance
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5.0
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$294.50
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- Easy to open and close/collapse with only one hand needed to push open and take the down frame
- Comes with a carry bag
- Newborn attachment (bassinet) included in the Breeze Plus
- Can use both the Breeze Go and Breeze Plus from birth with newborns and as baby grows
- Included flip changer for quick diapering and clothing changes (Plus only)
- Bassinet and changer are easy to attach and detach
- Excellent quality materials and construction from a known and trusted brand
- Fire retardant free
- Mesh sides for adequate airflow and visibility
- Modern and sleek looking, with neutral colors that will look good in any space
- Lighter than most pack and plays (although not as light as a travel crib)
- Super easy way to provide a safe space for your baby when you need to put them down for a bit
- Included travel bag is made of thin material that rips easily.
- The mattress lacks a removable cover
- Have to use 4Moms branded sheets in order for the mattress attachment system to work
- More expensive than many other popular pack and plays
- 4Moms doesn't offer some accessories I'd want, most notably a mosquito net for some climates
- Not machine washable.
4Moms Breeze Review
Setup and Collapsing the 4Moms Breeze Pack and Play: Ease of Use Tests
The 4Moms Breeze pack and play markets itself as having one handed setup and one handed pull close system.
I was skeptical of this, but what I found is it does offer one handed setup…but only sort of.
One Handed Set Up Test
To put it to the test, I tried to set it up myself one handed. I forced myself to use only one hand by holding a Squishmallow with my other hand, as if I were holding a baby and trying to set it up and collapse it.
I have to admit: the center pillar system makes it insanely easy to get the pack and play frame open and setup up one handed with a one push open that requires a single motion to get the frame ready.
With my old Breeze, I wasn’t able to set it up as seamlessly as in 4Moms’ marketing videos. When I try it, I find the playard feet get a bit stuck on my area rug.
This has been improved in the new versions, as the one push open works flawlessly in my new Plus.
Attaching the Mattress
While I was able to set up the pack and play frame easily enough, I can’t get it completely setup one handed.
The problem? I need two hands to attach the mattress to the frame using the velcro tabs (a necessary step before putting your baby in it).
With my old Breeze, this was a massive challenge, and I really disliked the system.
Somehow, it works awesome with my new Breeze Plus, and is super easy to attach – you just need two hands to do it (one hand to feed it through the hole, and the other hand to attach it).
How Fast Can You Setup a 4Moms Breeze?
To truly test out how quickly it opens, I timed myself opening it, first with one handed setup and then with two hands.
These tests were done with my old Breeze. My new Breeze Plus is even faster.
One handed, it took me 20 seconds to setup the frame and put the mattress into the porta crib base. I was unable to attach the mattress to the frame using the velcro tab system with just one hand, so I timed myself setting it up again, this time with two hands allowed.
Using two hands, it took me 3 minutes and 4 seconds to get the old 4Moms Breeze setup properly.
The bulk of that time was getting the velcro tabs pulled through the slots and attached to the underside of the crib base. Again, 4moms has made the new Breeze much easier in this regard, and setup time is even faster for me.
How Fast Can You Collapse a 4Moms Breeze?
I also tested how long it took me to collapse the crib using the pull close system, again setting a timer and holding a Squishmallow. I did this test one handed, and I was able to get the mattress unattached (via the velcro tabs) fairly easily with just one hand.
This test took me 30 seconds total: 26 seconds to get the mattress detached and out of the pack and play base, plus another 4 seconds to use the pull close to collapse the frame.
Super fast!
Setting up the Bassinet
The newborn bassinet insert is just as easy to setup.
The bassinet has a fabric border that drapes over the main frame like a fitted sheet.
It has built-in clips that then clip into place on every side of the main play yard frame (the updated clip system in the current model is pictured below – I like these clips a lot better than the old ones).
I did a timed test, and it took me 36 seconds to attach the bassinet to the frame. I found it easiest to clip it in place as I went. Otherwise I found the fabric just keeps slipping off the frame and falling down into the main base of the play yard.
The bassinet mattress velcros in place easily, with no tabs to fiddle with.
Removing the bassinet is just as easy: it took me 28 seconds to get the removable bassinet off the frame (bassinet mattress and bassinet attachment).
Portability When Traveling with It
While the name of the 4Moms Breeze Go might make you think it’s up for a big vacation, I’d caution against using it as a true travel crib.
Trips to Grandma’s house or a several hour road trip to stay at your BFF’s house? Great!
Multi-week trip through 5 countries in Europe? Not with this play yard.
It’s portable, yes, and is pretty good in terms of portability when compared to other playards.
However, it’s not a true travel crib, primarily due to its bulk and weight. The Breeze Go is 23 pounds, a whopping 10 pounds heavier than the BabyBjorn Travel Crib, for example.
As far as playards go, 23 pounds is very light! It’s just not “travel crib” light, and I can’t imagine hauling this on a train from Rome to Florence, if you know what I mean.
The BreezeGo and Plus also come with a convenient travel bag included, but I’d suggest it’s more designed as a storage bag than a travel bag.
If you check it in, or do too much travel with it, the carry bag will likely get some rips and tears in it. Our old 4Moms portable crib went on one trip to Los Angeles, and the carry bag did indeed take a fair amount of abuse during the trip.
The fabric is very thin when I feel it. It feels especially thin when I do a direct comparison with the BabyBjorn or Guava Lotus travel bags, which are more like a strong, durable backpack material.
Bag wise, the bassinet attachment and changer on the Breeze Plus also don’t fit into the carry bag, making them extras you need to find somewhere to fit when packing for a trip.
All of those factors combined mean I don’t recommend this pack and play for travel. It’s great for short jaunts, but for a true travel experience, you’ll want something more purpose built for trips!
4Moms Play Yard Mattress Review
The mattress in both of our 4Moms pack and plays is pretty standard, albeit a bit lack luster.
The old Breeze playard (the one pictured below) had a separate mattress for the playard and the bassinet. It was just under 1″ thick when I measured ours, and when I compared that by measuring our new Breeze Plus playard mattress, it was more or less the same thickness (just under 1″ thick).
In the updated Breeze Plus, there’s now only one mattress that converts for use with either the playard or the bassinet.
This is an improvement, because who wants to tote around two pack and play mattresses when they don’t have to? Not me.
The bassinet part of the 4moms mattress has also be upgraded quality wise in the latest model of the Breeze Plus. My old bassinet mattress is incredibly thin – thinner than the ~1″ I measured for the main mattress thickness. In the new Breeze Plus, the mattress is the same quality for both the bassinet and the play pen.
Generally, pack and play mattresses are pretty thin, which is done on purpose for safety reasons.
However, out of the pack and plays I’ve reviewed, I’d say the 4Moms mattress isn’t particularly impressive – it’s much thinner than the BabyBjorn Travel Crib mattress for example, which is often commented on as one of the best playard mattresses!
Worth noting, that since the Breeze doesn’t have a floor-sitting mattress (like the BabyBjorn does), it’s likely fine that it’s thinner and not quite as plush. Firmer mattresses are generally better for infants. It’s when you get into the slightly older babies (over one year) and toddlers that I think the “is this pack and play mattress comfortable enough?” worries have merit.
You also pretty much need to use 4Moms branded pack and play sheets if you intend to use a sheet with it. Otherwise the velcro attachment system won’t work. (Pack and play sheets are different from crib sheets – don’t use crib sheets on your play yard as they’ll be too big, and extra fabric could be hazardous)
If you don’t use sheets? Expect stains on the mattress, which can only be spot cleaned.
The bassinet also requires specific 4moms sheets for the velcro to work. They have holes in the back to let the velcro patches attach properly.
4Moms Playard Design and Color Choices
In my experience, pack and plays tend to fall into one of two categories from a design perspective: modern and adult-looking, or babyish with kid designs and colors.
The Breeze Plus and Go definitely fall into the former, which is a plus in my books.
The Plus comes in black, and the Go comes in a dark grey color. Both have white mattresses in the current version. 4Moms appears to have done away with the bright blue mattress option, which is another plus in my books. The sheets are also quite neutral looking.
The frame on both models is covered in fabric, which is nice for a baby comfort and safety perspective. The sides are mesh, allowing airflow and visibility for baby and caregivers.
4Moms Breeze Safety Review
The Breeze meets relevant federal safety standards, a requirement to be able to sell it in the US and Canada.
Beyond that, when I look at our own Breeze pack and plays, I am interested in its sturdiness (especially for older babies and toddlers who may stand, jump and attempt to climb out), any gaps that could allow a baby to get a body part stuck, and invisible dangers, such as harmful chemicals.
Our 4Moms Breeze is incredibly stable and sturdy. When I push on it and try to rattle it around, it shifts slightly from side to side, but stands firm overall. It’s certainly sturdier than the lightweight travel cribs I’ve personally tested, including the Phil & Teds Traveller, Guava Lotus Everywhere Crib, and BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light.
I also don’t notice anything that worries me from a “getting stuck” perspective.
Finally I love that the 4Moms Breeze is free from fire retardant chemicals, phthalates and PVC, BPA and BPS, Lead, and heavy metals. While the “filling” (which I take to mean mattress) contains polyurethane, I appreciate that 4Moms has gone quite far in ensuring the product is non toxic.
Washing the 4Moms Breeze
Overall, I find the washability of the 4Moms Breeze to be lacking, and an area for improvement.
For one, the fabric on the Breeze isn’t removable, so you can’t do a full machine wash as you can with the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light or the Guava Lotus Everywhere Crib, for example. This isn’t particularly surprising as most true pack and plays (as opposed to lightweight travel cribs) don’t have removable fabric. But, it’s also an incredibly convenient feature when I do have it, and it is lacking on this playard.
Easier to fix would be a removable mattress cover, which the Breeze also doesn’t have. 4Moms sells waterproof sheets separately, but I expect a good number of families will opt to use it without the sheets, which means you’ll end up with stains on the mattress like this.
So how do you wash the 4Moms Breeze? Proper pack and play cleaning involves spot cleaning the mattress and using a damp cloth to wipe down the fabric and frame as needed. It’s not perfect, but it works. I’ve given my old Breeze a good spot clean scrub and it has come clean fairly easily.
Using the 4Moms Breeze as a Short Parent
I sometimes struggle with pack and plays and cribs because of my height: I’m 5 foot tall.
The top of the top rail on my 4Moms Breeze measures 28.5″ high (4moms says 29″ which would also incorporate the slightly raised corner joints). When I lean over it to touch the mattress, the top bar hits me right below the bottom of my rib cage, which is the same for most pack and plays I’ve tested.
However, since the mattress isn’t a floor sitting mattress with this playard (the mattress sits on a supported base off the floor), I find it’s comfortable reaching all the way down to the mattress, even as a short mom. The distance between the mattress and the top of the top bar is just under 23″ – so the actual distance you’re reaching down is quite manageable, even for short caregivers, based on my experience.
New vs. Old: What’s New on the Breeze Plus Playard?
The most recent model of the Breeze Plus includes detachable flip changer, bassinet, and a convertible mattress.
Bassinet
On the new model, the bassinet and changing table are separate attachments. The bassinet spans the length and width of the play yard (bigger than the version right before this iteration), and then the changer can clip on top of the bassinet and flip out of the way when not in use.
Previous version of the Plus had one attachment instead of two, divided into the changing part and the bassinet part.
Flip Changer
The new flip changer is a great addition, because you can flip it out of the way on the side of the pack and play when not in use.
Watch me use the convenient flip changer in this GIF I made.
Mattress
Previous models of the Breeze Plus has two separate mattresses: one for the playard and one for the bassinet. Kind of a pain if you need to travel with it.
The new version has a convertible mattress that goes from the larger mattress for the playard to the smaller mattress for the bassinet by unzipping two panels.
As noted before, it’s also easier to attach via the velcro tab system.
Should You Buy a 4Moms Breeze Pack and Play? Who’s It For
Good for
- An awesome pack and play in your own home that will last from bringing your new baby home from the hospital to around 2.5 or 3 years old.
- For a newborn to sleep in his or her parents room as a first bed, using the newborn baby bassinet attachment. You can also let a newborn sleep in the Breeze Go playard, you’ll just have to lean down further to pick up and put down.
- Driving holidays or trips to visit family, when you want to bring a pack and play with you rather than rely on the hotel for a crib rental.
Not Good For
- A travel crib when traveling by plane, train, or bus. While it’d be fine for a road trip to one destination, it’s too heavy to be lugging around compared to a a travel crib when traveling by plane or to multiple destinations. Add to that, the included travel bag is a bit thin for checked luggage – ours got ripped up when checked, and the updated bag isn’t any more durable in my opinion.
- Families on a strict budget. You can get far cheaper options from some major, well respected brands if you’re on a tight budget.
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Best for Newborns
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Best for Older Babies and Toddlers
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5.0
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5.0
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$294.50
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$239.99
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Which 4Moms Portable Crib Should You Buy: Breeze Plus vs. Breeze Go
Whether you buy the Breeze Go or Breeze Plus Playard depends on whether you want the bassinet and flip away changer. In addition to budget, for many families I expect it will come down to how old your child is at the time of purchase, and whether you plan on having more kids in the future that could use the newborn features (the bassinet is good up to 18 pounds, or when your little can push themselves up).
Finally, if you plan to use it with a newborn and would prefer to buy the less expensive Breeze Go, it’s worth considering your birth plan, and whether you’re likely to end up with a C-section vs vaginal birth.
I had a C-section, and the thought of leaning all the way over to the bottom of a pack and play to put down and pick up my baby after that major of a surgery is not a happy thought!
Dimensions and Age / Weight Limits
Dimensions
- The Breeze Frame measures 43″L x 30″W x 29″H.
- Weight of the Breeze Go and Breeze Plus without the bassinet and changer is 23 lbs.
- Weight of the Breeze Plus with the bassinet and changer is 28.5 lbs.
Age Limit and Weight Limits
Pack and play weight limits and age limits vary by brand and model. Here’s what 4moms has to say about their Breeze playards.
- The bassinet can be used from birth until your baby reaches 18 pounds or can push themselves up, whichever comes first.
- The changer attachment is suitable from birth until 25 pounds (again, discontinue use once your baby can push themselves up).
- The play pen weight limit is 30 pounds
Final Thoughts About the 4Moms Breeze
The 4moms Breeze (both the Plus and the Go) offer parents and caregivers a durable playard that will serve families well over the first few years of baby’s life.
They’re both a great choice for new parents who want a solution that’s going to grow with their child over the first few years, and that will adapt to baby’s needs throughout those first few years (and parents needs, too). When you need to put your little one down, it provides a comfortable spot where baby can rest while still in view of parents, thanks to the mesh sides, and a pack and play is a nice addition to having a crib.
For newborns, the bassinet offers a comfortable spot for baby, but also for caregivers, given you won’t have to reach too far down to access your little one. Newborns can sleep in the Breeze Go, too (without the bassinet), but parents will have to reach further down to place baby in the play pen and lift them out again. This can do a number on your back, and isn’t great if you’ve had a c-section.
The convenient flip changer really is a game changer for quick diapering wherever you decide to place it. If you have a multi-story home, it makes sense to have something like this setup in the main living space, so you don’t always have to get back up to the nursery for diapering and clothing changes. When you don’t need it, it will conveniently tuck away.
While the convenient travel bag included when you purchase is a nice to have for storage, in my opinion its not durable enough to check the playard as checked luggage if you fly. This product is more suited to road trips rather than a multi-country trip or overseas vacation.
The highlight of the Breeze for me (other than it being non toxic and free from harmful chemicals), is how easy it is to setup and take down the frame. It really is one of the easiest play yards I’ve tested, and completely eliminates the set up and take down frustrations parents often experience with play yards.
Overall, I think it’s a great product and I am happy to recommend it. I think most families will love it.
