Written By: Lindsay Kuula
Date: October 21st, 2025

Table of Contents:

TLDR: SlumberPod vs Hiccapop
About SlumberPod
About the Hiccapop DayDreamer
Category #1: Light Blocking & Darkness Quality
Category #2: Setup & Ease of Use
Category #3: Ventilation & Airflow
Category #4: Material and Safety
Category #5: Features & Functionality
Category #6: Customer Support and Warranty
Category #7: Price & Value
Category #8: Brand Story
Hard Launch Mom Rating Comparison
What Real Parents Are Saying
Which Should You Buy?
My Final Verdict
Where to Buy

Introduction: The SlumberPod vs Hiccapop Dilemma

When I started planning our first vacation with E, anxiety started bubbling up around sleep. We were just getting into the rhythm of sleep and now we were going to purposefully disrupt this? I started deep diving into travel hacks, tips & tricks and what parents boasted as essential travel products that promoted sleep. There was one product that continued to pop up everywhere.

Enter baby blackout tents.

Two names kept coming up: SlumberPod and Hiccapop. Both promised darkness so your baby sleeps while you can turn on lights, “move about the cabin” without disruption if you will. As I continued researching, one of them was $50 less expensive, and I wanted to know why. But, as I searched, I could not find many reviews doing a deep dive, going feature by feature, to understand which one I should buy.

I ended up buying SlumberPod and have used it for over a year. And I LOVE IT. I wrote a product review on SlumberPod you can read here if you’re interested. However, after a year of use, I wanted to know if I made the right choice, and give other parents a real, unbiased review that I couldn’t find.

So, I tested both extensively and here’s the real breakdown.

Watch my full video comparison here:

TLDR: SlumberPod vs Hiccapop

Bottom Line: The SlumberPod is the more premium, higher-quality blackout tent with exceptional light blocking and durability. Hiccapop offers exceptional value with thoughtful features like a toddler entry door and mesh viewing window at a more accessible price point.

SlumberPod’s Biggest Strength: Stability (Extra sturdy and strong), premium fabric quality, and the most trusted name in baby blackout tents with over 300,000 families using it.

Hiccapop’s Biggest Strength: More affordable, easy color-coded setup, unique toddler entry door, and six total ventilation sections.

SlumberPod is best for:

• Families who travel frequently and want maximum durability and longevity in their products
• Prioritize high quality and performance material
• Parents willing to invest in the premium option

Hiccapop is best for:

• Budget-conscious families wanting excellent value
• Parents with toddlers who climb in and out of bed independently
• Those who want as many bells and whistles as possible

About SlumberPod

The SlumberPod is the original patented blackout sleep tent, invented by a mother-daughter duo (Lou Childs and Katy Mallory) who experienced firsthand the struggle of room-sharing with a baby during family visits. Since launching, it’s become the gold standard in portable baby sleep solutions, trusted by over 300,000 families worldwide and recommended by more than 250 sleep consultants.

Key Features:

• Blocks 95%+ of light for maximum darkness
• 4 adjustable ventilation panels for airflow
• 2 fan pockets (fan sold separately)
• Clear vinyl monitor pocket for video monitor
• Machine washable (cold, delicate cycle, air dry)
• Assembled dimensions: 54″ L x 40″ W x 53″ H
• Packed dimensions: 17″ L x 5″ W x 6″ H
• Weight: 5.5 lbs
• Recommended age: 4 months to 5 years
• Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex

Price Point: $199.99 for the SlumberPod alone, or $119.99 with a fan included. Available on Amazon (they’re currently running $20 off), the SlumberPod website, and retailers like Nordstrom and Newton Baby. You can get 15% off using code SLEEPWELL from my link.

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About the Hiccapop DayDreamer

The Hiccapop DayDreamer is the value-focused alternative that’s been gaining serious traction as a SlumberPod alternative. Created by Hiccapop (known for their innovative baby products like this inflatable toddler travel bed), this blackout tent delivers many of the same core benefits at a significantly lower price point while adding some unique features of its own.

Key Features:

• Blocks 90%+ of light
• 6 ventilation panels for excellent airflow
• Color-coded clips for ‘frustration-free’ setup
• Dual entry points: upper door + lower toddler entry
• Ultrafine mesh monitor pocket for clear viewing
• Fan pockets (fan not included)
• Non-slip, scratch-resistant feet
• Assembled dimensions: 50″ L x 36″ W x 56″ H
• Packed dimensions: 17″ L x 7″ W x 7″ H
• Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex
• Lifetime guarantee

Price Point: Around $130-150 on Amazon and the Hiccapop website, making it ~$50 cheaper than the SlumberPod.

Head-to-Head Comparison: SlumberPod vs Hiccapop

Now let’s get into the in-depth feature comparison of these two blackout tents.

Category #1: Light Blocking & Darkness Quality

This is the entire point of a blackout tent, right? If it can’t block light effectively, nothing else matters. Both tents promise near-total darkness, but there are some differences worth noting.

SlumberPod: The SlumberPod claims 95%+ of light is blocked, and in my testing, it delivers on this promise beautifully. The fabric quality is noticeably thicker and more substantial, which contributes to this superior light blocking.

I tested both tents in direct sunlight with a light meter, and in the three separate tests I ran, SlumberPod scored between a 0.0 and a 3.0 LUX. Which a 0.0 and a 3.0 to the naked light is virtually undetectable.

Hiccapop: The Hiccapop boasts 90%+ of light blocking, but in my testing, it actually scored “higher” than SlumberPod. In the three tests I ran, the LUX stayed at 0.0 during all three tests, which was not the case with SlumberPod. The fabric is slightly more breathable and lighter weight than the SlumberPod, but this does not contribute to poorer light blocking, in fact, it does the opposite.

For pure light-blocking power, they both do exactly what they claim. As a side, I did test an Amazon Basic Drop Shipping version of this tent as well, just to see, and the LUX hit around a 15, and what I will say, the light penetration was very noticeable to the naked eye. My point is, the 0-3 LUX range that SlumberPod hit is completely undetectable, and both of these tents do a phenomenal job in blocking the light.

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Criteria #2: Setup & Ease of Use

When you arrive at your destination after hours of traveling with a tired baby, the last thing you want is to wrestle with complicated setup.

Similarities: Both tents are almost identical in their set up, they just have slightly different mechanisms for how the tent is held upright. The poles are quite long, around 10 feet, so sometimes you need to finesse the poles (keeping some of them bent until you’re ready to fully erect the tent.) They both take about 5 minutes to set up after getting used to the set up. (Both took me around 10 minutes the first time).

SlumberPod:

The SlumberPod uses two long metal poles that thread through four sleeves in the fabric on each side. The SlumberPod has slight bends in the poles that help create the curved, dome shaped structure.

The ends of the poles slide into a pocket at the bottom of the SlumberPod. It’s quite a bit more secure and sturdy than it looks, and the poles have never once popped out. The tension that is created with the pressure on both sides holds the poles in securely. I personally like the SlumberPod’s “feet” more than Hiccapops.

Hiccapop:

Hiccapop uses color-coded clips which make setup pretty intuitive. Match the colors for each pole, clip them in, and you’re done. The structural integrity of the tent does feel a bit less stable compared to the SlumberPod because it doesn’t have the sleeves, but it’s still secure and doesn’t feel flimsy.

This is one of the biggest differences – the feet use plastic claw clips to connect the tent material with the poles vs the material pocket of the SlumberPod. It also has a plastic circular, flat base that logically would make the tent more stable, but I’m not sure it adds much.

FYI – I do want to note here that 2 of the plastic circle feet popped off of the poles, and I thought this was part of the design. I saw some glue on the pole, so they’re not supposed to come off. When I tried to set the tent up again, the pole kept popping out out of the plastic foot when tension was put on both sides, making the set up much harder and I had to be a bit more strategic in how I set it up.

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Criteria #3: Ventilation & Airflow

When you’re creating an enclosed sleep space for your baby, safety is the highest priority so airflow is non-negotiable. Both tents take ventilation seriously, but there are slight differences.

SlumberPod: The SlumberPod has 4 adjustable ventilation panels that you can open or close depending on your needs.

Plus, there are two separate pockets specifically designed to hold a fan. One at the top of the tent, and one at the bottom, to help recirculate the air.

The breathable fabric does its job, and I generally don’t feel concerned about stuffiness inside the tent. Both tents do in fact feel a bit stuffy after a full night of sleep, but that’s to be expected. With a fan attached, it’s excellent. Without the fan, it’s still very good.

Hiccapop: The Hiccapop has six ventilation panels, which is two more than the SlumberPod. It also has the fan pocket at the bottom. The fabric is slightly more breathable due to its lighter weight construction. In my testing, the airflow felt very similar to the SlumberPod. The extra ventilation panels might provide a slight edge, especially in warmer climates.

Both tents provide excellent ventilation, but one thing I do want to note is that SlumberPod did a voluntary, third-party rebreathing test, and this is what they say on their site —

“Although the pod was designed (material and design itself) with airflow in mind, we took an extra step to ensure that caregivers’ concerns were addressed. We submitted SlumberPod for an additional, voluntary assessment and expert opinion using advanced test methods. The evaluating doctor (selected by the independent, third-party lab – and not by the SlumberPod team) independently concluded that the product “presents a low hazard” for CO2 rebreathing.”

I asked Hiccapop if they also participated in a rebreathing test, and this is what they had to say:

Both tents are designed with safety and airflow in mind. They both have two separate areas that you can put fans for added ventilation, and both have the bottom pocket for the air recirculation. Hiccapop does have the two additional ventilation sections, but I’m not sure how much more that truly helps in airflow.

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Criteria #4: Material and Safety

With your baby sleeping inside of this tent for 12+ hours total in a day, safety is top of mind for every parent. We’ve already discussed the airflow safety element, this section covers the materials and if they’re.. enter buzz word, “non-toxic”.

Both of these tents are free from:

• Phthalates
• PFAs
• BPAs
• TDCPP/TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants
• Mercury
• Lead
• Heavy metals
• Formaldehyde
• Plus, both pass all federal safety standards

SlumberPod: The SlumberPod is completely completely non-toxic, and the materials used feel premium. The fabric is considerably more durable than Hiccapop, and after dozens of uses, it still looks and feels brand new. The poles are sturdy metal, and the overall construction is solid. After multiple uses, mine shows zero wear. The seams are reinforced, and everything about it suggests it will last for years.

Now come with me on this journey where this is the best way I can describe the actual feeling of these tents. We’re going to use Lululemon as the reference, which I think will articulate it in texture vs. words.

SlumberPod’s tent material feels like Lululemon’s Align Leggings. Soft, buttery, premium texture. Slippery but there’s some texture to it.

Hiccapop: The Hiccapop is also completely non-toxic and the materials feel quality, but not necessarily premium like SlumberPod. The color-coded clips are well-made and haven’t shown any wear. For the price, the build quality is excellent.

Hiccapop’s tent material feels like Lululemon’s WonderUnder Leggings. It has more of that classic slippery spandex feel. Not quite as soft, but still feels nice.

Both are completely non-toxic, and materials used feel quality. SlumberPod’s material does feel a bit more premium and heavy duty, and I personally like the feeling of it better than Hiccapops.

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Category #5: Features & Functionality

Beyond the basics, what special features does each tent offer that might tip the scales?

SlumberPod: The SlumberPod has a clear vinyl monitor pocket. This pocket is designed specifically for your baby monitor camera and provides a window to view inside the tent. The downside? Some modern auto-focus monitors focus on the vinyl instead of your baby. You absolutely can get a clear shot, there’s just a bit of finagling that has to happen – placing the camera flush and tight on the plastic.

SlumberPod has two individual pockets on the top of the tent for the monitor and fan, which is different than Hiccapop’s one pocket. This feels quite a bit more secure to me, and unlike Hiccapop, there is no way that anything could fall onto your baby if the tent got bumped.

The SlumberPod also has a reputation for being the “original” and most recognized brand, which matters if resale value is important to you.

Hiccapop: The Hiccapop has two features that absolutely set it apart: the toddler entry door and the ultrafine mesh pocket for the camera.

I would argue that the Toddler Entry is the biggest difference between SlumberPod and Hiccapop and might be the deciding factor. The lower entry door is genius for older toddlers who want to climb in and out independently. SlumberPod does not have this. This thoughtful addition allows the tent to grow with the age of your child, providing intentionality of use, and logevity in the product.

The mesh video monitor pocket is also unique to Hiccapop. The mesh feels a bit more innovative, and provides a much clearer video monitor picture than SlumberPod.

I do want to note that Hiccapop only has one pocket for the fan and monitor with one velcro strap, so if you use a fan and a monitor, only one can be secured at a time. This seems like a safety issue to me as there are gaps on all four pocket sides. If the tent gets bumped, items could theoretically fall down and while unlikely, could hit your baby.

The overall thoughtful touches show that Hiccapop really considered real-world parent needs, and longevity of the product.

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Category #6: Customer Support and Warranty

Let’s talk about both customer support and warranty because if a brand has top notch customer support, it can change your entire experience and even the opinion of the product.

SlumberPod: I emailed SlumberPod for confirmation about the non-toxic materials used, and they responded within 24-hours and were fairly responsive from that point. It wasn’t fast, but it didn’t feel like I waited forever.

SlumberPod has your classic return policy, which is within 30-days of delivery date. They do pre-pay for the return, however, there is a 10% restocking fee that gets applied. That’s if you purchase from their website, but if you purchase from Amazon, (as of writing this) they have a 90-day FREE refunds / replacement option. (And a $20 off coupon). So, depending on how confident in the product you are, this might sway your opinion from where you buy.

Hiccapop: Hiccapop’s customer service is top notch. When I sent the same email about non-toxic material, they replied within a couple hours, and we even had a few back and forth exchanges the same day. This impressed me, as with many companies, it’s a 24-48 hour wait for each response, which can feel inconvenient when you’re just trying to solve a problem efficiently!

Here’s where Hiccapop SHINES. They have a LIFETIME GUARANTEE. Yes, you read that correctly. This is what they say:

“We have a Lifetime Guarantee & we stand by that in its entirety. In short – ALL manufacturing defects (even though they are rare) are indeed covered. In fact – we even cover accidental damage. So if your new puppy accidentally chews a hole in your Hiccapop item, don’t worry, because you are covered.”

One thing to note is that this only applies if the item was purchased directly from their website or Amazon.

Both companies have great customer service. SlumberPod’s return policy is pretty standard, where Hiccapop’s is pretty unheard of with the lifetime guarantee.

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Category #7: Price & Value

Let’s talk about the bottom line. Is the SlumberPod worth the premium price, or does the Hiccapop offer better value?

SlumberPod: At $199.99, the SlumberPod is definitely an investment. The premium quality is evident, and for families who travel frequently, the durability may justify the cost. It holds its resale value well, which can offset some of the initial expense when you’re ready to be done with it.

Hiccapop: At around $130, the Hiccapop delivers approximately 90-95% of the SlumberPod experience for about $50 less. When you consider the added features (toddler entry and two extra ventilation sections) plus the lifetime guarantee, the value proposition becomes even stronger.

For pure value-for-money, the Hiccapop is hard to beat. You’re getting excellent quality at a more accessible price point.

Category #8: Brand Story

This is the final category here:

SlumberPod: They were the original baby black out tent creators. They appeared on Sharktank in 2020 and from there have become the standard. The creators are a mom and daughter duo, who realized that traveling with a baby created lots of sleep realized issues. As someone who has worked in family tech, this matters. I think there’s a lot of weight that goes behind the creator(s) of a product living out the problem in their day-to-day. There’s more at steak as they are truly invested in creating a solution.

Hiccapop: Hiccapop has more of an unclear story, but with some digging I did find the creators. They’re two men that created the company in 2016. They launched with the inflatable toddler bed and in 2024 launched their blackout tent. I couldn’t find anything about either of them being Dads, so it doesn’t seem they’re living out the experience as much as the SlumberPod founders. That being said, it doesn’t disqualify them from having a great product with thoughtful features, as we went though above. I honestly am shocked that they aren’t Dads (if this is true), given the few additional features they have (like the toddler entry) over SlumberPod.

Hard Launch Mom Rating Comparison

Here’s how both blackout tents stack up using the Hard Launch Mom rating system:

SlumberPod vs Hiccapop DayDreamer Blackout Tents

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Rating Category	SlumberPod	Hiccapop DayDreamer
💰 PRICE	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
⚙️ FUNCTIONALITY	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
✨ AESTHETIC	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
🌿 CLEAN FACTOR	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
OVERALL	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.75/5)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.75/5)

The Bottom Line

Identical overall ratings (4.75/5), but they excel in different areas:

SlumberPod wins on premium quality, durability for frequent travelers, and slightly more polished aesthetics.

Hiccapop wins on value, ease of use (color-coded setup), innovative features (toddler entry), and generosity (lifetime guarantee).

For most families, Hiccapop delivers better value. For frequent travelers who prioritize maximum durability and are looking for premium materials, SlumberPod is worth the investment.

Rating Philosophy: “Would I buy it again?” is always the benchmark.

What Real Parents Are Saying: SlumberPod vs Hiccapop Reviews

I scoured hundreds of reviews on Amazon, Reddit, and parenting forums to find the common themes. Here’s what parents really think about the SlumberPod vs Hiccapop.

SlumberPod – The Parent Perspective

What Parents Love (5-Star Themes):

• “Game-changer for travel” – Parents consistently report that the SlumberPod transformed their ability to travel with babies. Many say their babies slept through the night in hotels for the first time, and adults could finally enjoy evenings without sitting in darkness.
• “Worth every penny” – Despite the premium price, most parents feel the investment is justified by the quality and how well it works. Many mention buying a second one for their next child.
• “Complete blackout” – The darkness level gets rave reviews. Parents love that it blocks even bright afternoon sun during naps.
• “Room sharing made possible” – Many families specifically mention that the SlumberPod allows them to share rooms on trips without sacrificing their baby’s sleep or their own evening activities.

What Parents Complain About (1-Star Themes):

• “Setup is frustrating” – The most common complaint is about the long poles and challenging first-time setup. Parents mention it getting easier with practice but wish it were more intuitive.
• “Price is steep” – Some parents feel the price is hard to justify, especially for families who travel infrequently.
• “Monitor pocket doesn’t always work” – Parents report the clear vinyl causes focus issues, making this advertised feature less useful.
• “Quality control issues” – A small number of reviews mention receiving defective units with broken zippers or poles, though customer service typically resolves these issues.

My Take: The praise for the SlumberPod is well-deserved. It truly does block light incredibly well, and for families who travel often, the premium quality justifies the cost. However, the setup complaints are legitimate – it’s not as intuitive as it could be, especially when you’re tired. If you can get past the learning curve and afford the price, most parents find it lives up to the hype.

Hiccapop – The Parent Perspective

What Parents Love (5-Star Themes):

• “Amazing value for money” – Parents consistently mention that the Hiccapop performs nearly as well as the SlumberPod for significantly less money. Many explicitly compare it favorably to the SlumberPod.
• “So easy to set up” – The color-coded clips get praised repeatedly. Parents love that setup is quick and intuitive even on the first try.
• “Toddler entry is genius” – Parents with older toddlers specifically love the lower entry door, which allows independent climbers to get in and out on their own.
• “Lifetime guarantee is reassuring” – Parents appreciate Hiccapop’s customer service and the comprehensive warranty coverage.

What Parents Complain About (1-Star Themes):

• “Not quite as dark as SlumberPod” – Some parents who’ve used both note that the Hiccapop is very slightly less dark, though most find it dark enough.
• “Can get warm without a fan” – A few parents mention the tent feeling warm in hot climates without a fan, though this is also true of the SlumberPod.
• “Fabric feels lighter” – Some parents note the fabric doesn’t feel quite as premium as the SlumberPod’s heavier material.
• “Sizing can be tricky” – A few parents report their specific pack n play model didn’t fit as well as expected, though this affects both brands.

My Take: Parents are right to rave about the Hiccapop’s value proposition. It delivers about 90-95% of the SlumberPod experience for $50 less, and adds thoughtful features the SlumberPod doesn’t have. The color-coded setup is great, and the toddler entry is brilliant for families with older babies. Based on my testing it wasn’t less dark. I agree that it does feel less premium, but for most families, these minor compromises are absolutely worth the savings.

SlumberPod vs Hiccapop: Which Tent Should You Buy?

Let’s cut to the chase and get to what really matters: which blackout tent should you buy?

Choose the SlumberPod if:

• You travel frequently and want maximum durability for years of use
• Your baby is extremely light-sensitive and needs the absolute darkest environment
• You want the most recognized brand with proven track record (300,000+ families)
• Premium quality matters more to you than price
• You care about the founders and a brand story of a company

Choose the Hiccapop if:

• Budget is a consideration and you want excellent value ($50 savings)
• You want the easiest possible setup with color-coded clips
• You have an older toddler who would benefit from the independent entry door
• You want a lifetime guarantee that covers accidental damage
• You travel less often and want a quality product without premium pricing

My Final Verdict: Which Blackout Tent Is Best?

After extensive testing of both the SlumberPod vs Hiccapop, here’s my honest recommendation:

For most families, the Hiccapop DayDreamer is the smarter choice.

Yes, the SlumberPod is the premium option with slightly better light blocking and more substantial construction. But the Hiccapop delivers 90% of the performance for 70% of the cost, while adding genuinely useful features like the toddler entry and extra ventilation sections. The color-coded setup some find easier, and the lifetime guarantee is incredibly generous.

For our family, I initially bought the SlumberPod because I wanted “the best.” After trying the Hiccapop, I would have been just find if we’d started with it. There really is no darkness difference and E sleeps exactly the same in both tents. But once he’s old enough to be out of the pack n’play, the toddler entry will be an added bonus.

That said, the SlumberPod absolutely has its place. If you’re a frequent traveler, the premium construction will likely outlast the Hiccapop through years of heavy use. It’s just a sturdier, higher quality product and feels like the best on the market. Period.

The good news? Neither is a bad choice. Both deliver on the core promise of creating a dark, comfortable sleep space for your baby while traveling. You really can’t go wrong with either the SlumberPod or Hiccapop – it just depends on what features and price point matter most to your family.

Where to Buy:

SlumberPod: Available on Amazon (currently offering a $20 discount), SlumberPod.com (use code SLEEPWELL for 15% off), and retailers like Nordstrom.

Hiccapop DayDreamer: Available on Amazon and Hiccapop.com (~$130)

Either way, investing in a quality blackout tent has honestly been one of the best travel purchases we’ve made as parents. Being able to travel without sacrificing sleep (for E or us!) has opened up so many family adventures we wouldn’t have considered before. I don’t even think the thoughts of “what if he doesn’t sleep” anymore ahead of a trip, which is worth every single penny.

Happy travels, and here’s to babies who actually sleep in hotels! ✈️