I think they are all more or less the same. What are you needing it for? If they will be sleeping in it long-term, I know most people like to get a mattress for them.
He still sleeps in our room.. The one he has is ok, but I wonder how comfortable it is for sleeping all night, plus I need another one anyway for work since I babysit from home.
We just have a basic Graco one. When he sleeps in it (which is only when we travel) I fold a blanket under the sheet to add a little softness, I couldn't justify buying the mattress as infrequently as he will sleep in it.
I think the general consensus is that if they are sleeping in it every night, a mattress is better. That pad that is in there is ok, but I can feel the support bars through it, so it doesn't seem like it's super comfy, but who knows. We just have a basic Graco one. I think they are pretty much all the same dimensions and function the same way, except maybe that super expensive 4moms one.
Love, love, love our 4moms Breeze. Set up and take down with 1 hand in seconds. We do not have a mattress for it, as we definitely use it more to contain him in a play area on our deck or if we're at a house that isn't baby proofed.
We have a Graco as well but I bought the supplemtnal mattress for it and that has made all the difference. LO would sleep very poorly in it while camping until we got the mattress (Amazon - like 30 bucks)... and now she's fine.
Thanks! Yeah I was thinking they are probably all basically the same. Just paying extra for bells and whistles.. I have heard about the bigger mattress you can buy but have also heard they are not as safe.. I would really need to make sure I got the right one.. (Or I can just cut the cord and put him in his own room lol!)
Re: Pack and play recs please!