JetKids BedBox Review: Is It Worth Traveling With?
After using the JetKids by Stokke BedBox for three trips with our three-year-old, it’s clear this piece of luggage is a significant investment. While its $199 price tag is high compared to standard carry-ons from brands like Samsonite, the primary value comes from keeping a young child engaged and mobile while navigating busy airports. For parents traveling with children between the ages of two and seven, it feels like a near must-have experience enhancer.
How Does the JetKids by Stokke BedBox Function in Real Life?
The bed box functions as more than just luggage; it’s an interactive travel accessory. The included components are the suitcase itself, decorative stickers, and a mattress with seat extension. The major benefit is allowing the child to actually sit on the unit while you pull it through the airport alongside your car seats and strollers.
- The Pulling Experience: Your son immediately liked being able to ride on it. It has a top strap for him to hold onto, which makes traversing an airport much easier than managing multiple pieces of gear alone.
- A Necessary Warning: This is designed strictly for leisure travel, not stunts. There are no seat belts, so if the luggage were to flip forward—which we saw happen when the wheel bumped a pole at security—it requires constant awareness. We found that adjusting the pulling strap length helped maintain better control.
- Carry-On Compatibility: When flying Southwest Airlines for our trip, the JetKids by Stokke BedBox easily slid under the seat without issue, even with a backpack attached.
What Are the Downsides of Using the Luggage System?
There were several functional aspects that proved difficult or disappointing during use. These are the points to consider before committing to the purchase.
Lifting and Maneuverability Issues
- Lack of Lift Handles: A major gripe is the absence of dedicated handles for lifting the unit. Relying on the top strap feels lopsided, and it’s unclear if that strap is designed for lifting weight. Trying to lift it by attaching straps to both the front and back proved uneven in weight distribution.
- Packing Limitations: The interior space isn’t as large as one might hope, especially with the mattress seat extension pieces taking up volume.
Tips for Maximizing Space Inside
To make the most of the limited space:
- Roll the Mattress: Do not pack the mattress the way it is shown in product images; it consumes too much room. Rolling it up significantly reduces its footprint.
- Use Packing Cubes: Utilizing packing cubes helps maximize every inch inside the unit. Be careful, though—if you overpack to the point that the cubes bulge, they can cause the pliable plastic sides of the bed box to flare out, potentially leading to warping over time.
Does the Backpack Bundle Actually Save Money?
The bundle includes a backpack and was purchased for an extra $50. While this does save $19 compared to buying the standalone backpack ($69), its utility is high because it gives the child two options: wearing the bag or attaching it via the tire.
- Backpack Quality: The included crew backpack has soft padding on the shoulder straps and features a chest strap for load management, which was helpful.
- Small Quibbles: We wished for larger side mesh pockets that could fit more than just a standard plastic water bottle—something better suited for travel or toddler use.
- Capacity Bonus: A positive feature is that the backpack can be extended, adding about 20% extra capacity.
How Much Does the Mattress Feature Actually Help?
The mattress was intended to cover the airplane seat entirely. However, since our son was too excited during our short flights and didn’t nap, we never got a chance to use it for sleeping. It seems more geared toward longer flights where napping is expected. If your child has legs that dangle over the edge of their seat (like ours did when he turned three), this feature could add comfort.
The Final Verdict
The JetKids by Stokke BedBox is a premium purchase, but for parents traveling with young children (2-7 years old) who prioritize an enjoyable and manageable airport experience, it offers significant value. Its ability to keep the child engaged while navigating the logistics of travel makes it useful enough that we would recommend it despite its high price point. If your main goal is just luggage storage capacity, there are cheaper alternatives; but for a dedicated “traveling with toddlers” solution, this system works well.
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