Best Baby Cribs
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
- Best Mini Crib : Bloom Alma Mini Crib
- Best Convertible Baby Crib : DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Portable Crib
- Best 4-in-1 Baby Crib : DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
- Best Travel Crib : BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
- Most Affordable Baby Crib : IKEA Sniglar Crib
- Best Modern Baby Crib : Babyletto Hudson Crib
- Best Acrylic Baby Crib : Babyletto Harlow Acrylic and White 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
- Most Versatile Baby Crib : Nursery Works Novella 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
- Best Natural Wood Baby Crib : Nestig Wave Crib
- Best Baby Crib With Storage : Graco Remi 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer
Choosing a baby crib can seem like one of those big decisions that will affect your family for the next few years (but no pressure!). And with so many models to pick from, it’s hard to narrow in on the final winner.
Though you’ve probably been collecting nursery inspiration for a while now, you obviously realize that safety is the number one concern when it comes to choosing the best crib brand for baby’s nursery. You’ll need a stable frame with features — like mattress height adjustability — that keep your baby secure and protected. You can also check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Crib Information Center for more on sleep safety.
All baby cribs sold today must meet strict safety standards, including fixed sides and mandated slat width (2.375 inches, which is about the width of a soda can). (Inheriting a crib or picking one up from a yard sale? Make sure it’s up to safety code.)
Baby crib basics
You may have your heart set on using your grandma’s antique bassinet, but there’s a lot to consider when investing in a baby crib. Yes, it should fit the vibe of your nursery, but there are safety standards and other factors to think about, too.
A few crib buying basics to keep in mind:
Types of baby cribs
There are three basic types of cribs, and the best one for you depends on your space, lifestyle and future plans.
- Standard crib: Sturdy, safe and comfortable, a traditional crib is a cozy first bed for baby. Some standard cribs may come with a hinged side to make it easier to lift baby out. They are not to be confused with drop-side cribs, which are banned by the CPSC. A standard crib might be a good option if you’re considering having more children within a few years.
- Convertible crib: Also known as a “lifetime crib,” convertible cribs, if built to last, can take your tiny newborn all the way to strapping teen, converting from a crib to toddler bed and daybed or even full-sized bed — good bang for your buck if you’re done having kids, or want one piece of furniture your child can use for years to come.
- Mini or portable crib: If you’re in a smaller space — or on the go a lot — a mini crib is a space-saving alternative. But keep in mind: it’s tiny, so baby will outgrow it quickly.
What is the best crib for a newborn?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns sleep in the same room (but not the same bed) as their parents for at least the first 6 months of life, and ideally for the first year. For this reason, some parents prefer a mini crib or baby bassinet for their newborns, since these types of cribs tend to be a little more portable.
But if you prefer to have baby sleep in a full-size crib from day one, you'll just want to make sure that her crib is a safe environment, which means having a firm crib mattress with a tight-fighting sheet.
The crib should be free of any blankets or accessories (that includes crib bumpers, pillows, blankets, comforters, mattress toppers, stuffed animals and wedges or sleep positioners) in an area that doesn't have any curtain cords or baby monitor wires that could become a strangulation hazard.
How to choose the best baby crib
While you could drop thousands of dollars on a high-end baby crib, you can also find a beautiful, sturdy and safe crib that comes at a lower price point. Once you’ve taken safety concerns and your family’s needs into account, here are a few crib features to consider:
- Mattress support: A metal spring base will better withstand a jumping toddler than a wooden slat base.
- Adjustable mattress height. This enables the mattress to be lowered as your baby grows, so she can’t climb right out of the crib.
- Casters: A popular feature on many mini and portable crib models, wheels make it easy to move the crib as needed.
- Crib shape: Cocoon-like round or oval cribs are stylish and sweet, but keep in mind finding a mattress or sheets for special crib shapes may be more difficult.
Beyond making sure your baby crib meets safety standards, a few frequently-asked questions can help narrow down your crib options. Based on what real parents told us, these are the four most important crib questions to start your search with.
- How much space do you have? Size is a key factor in choosing baby’s first bed, so keep a measuring tape handy when shopping. Some baby cribs are big and beautiful — the centerpiece of any space — while others pull off a smaller, leaner footprint. Consider what works best for your nursery. If you’re in an apartment, a mini crib could be a space-saver. Or you could find one with storage or a changing table built in.
- On the go a lot? If you plan to move baby's crib from room to room — or take it to Grandma’s often — portability is important. A portable crib is lightweight and folds up easily, and is still sturdy enough for everyday use. A playard is another great portable option, and perfect for hang outs in the living room or on trips. Look for fine mesh netting, a baby-proof collapsing mechanism and removable fitted sheets for easy cleanup.
- Is eco important? Many baby crib brands these days are focused on making sure baby can rest easy — by creating safe, eco-friendly products. Look for sustainable wood, non-toxic paints or finishes and organic fabrics or covers for your mattress. Going green can mean spending more up front, though.
- Do you need a standard or convertible crib? If you plan to use the crib for multiple children, a well-made traditional crib that meets modern safety standards could be a great option. But convertible cribs also offer lots of bang for your buck, growing with baby to transform into toddler beds, daybeds or even a full bed frame with just a few small adjustments. That said: choose wisely. Once you buy it, you’re stuck with it for the long haul.
How we made our picks for the best baby cribs
Many factors went into our choices for the best baby cribs. For starters, we ensured that all of them met the AAP safety recommendations for cribs. From there, the What to Expect editorial team researched the popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use for the best baby cribs. We also got feedback from pediatricians and road-tested products at home with our own families. Finally, we asked parents in the What to Expect community about they baby cribs they love the most.
Here, browse the best baby cribs that deserve to be in your nursery.
Best Mini Crib
Bloom Alma Mini Crib
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Let’s face it: Baby cribs are huge. And they seem even larger when you’re living in a small space with other people — especially a baby.
The Bloom Alma Mini attempts to solve your space issues by taking up a much smaller footprint (it barely takes up any real estate in your bedroom). And it glides through tight door frames and cramped spaces with ease. It even folds up to be just 10 inches wide — a perfect size to slide under the bed when you don’t need it.
You can opt to add a firm mattress that you can adjust to two heights. And you can put together the whole thing without tools in under five minutes.
Age range: Newborn to 12 months (The base board should only be in the upper position from newborn to about 6 months, or until baby can sit up independently)
Weight: 50 pounds
Dimensions: 19.5 x 36 x 37.25 inches
"We got the Bloom Alma Mini and couldn't be happier. My favorite part about it is it has casters and is designed to fit through doorways. So we roll it from room to room in our Brooklyn apartment. My 1-week-old son sleeps in it better than his Pack
Best Convertible Baby Crib
DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Portable Crib
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This convertible crib will give your nursery an old-timey vibe with its sturdy wooden spindles and scalloped edges. And it comes in seven colors — with options like lagoon and emerald — to liven up the space even more.
The baby crib really shines with its flexibility, though — so you can squeeze as many years out of it as possible. It's compatible with a conversion kit (sold separately) that allows you to turn it into a toddler bed and then a daybed when your little one gets older. The four adjustable mattress positions will make sure you don’t hurt your back when you reach in, and if you want the bed to sit even lower, you can remove the four wheels (even though they’re a really convenient feature to keep).
You can also rest easy knowing this crib is finished in non-toxic paint and screened for volatile chemicals that add to indoor pollution.
Height/weight limit: Up to 35 inches, or when child begins to climb (crib); up to 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 39.2 pounds
Dimensions: 54.75 x 30.4 x 41.4 inches
"I second [the recommendation for] the DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, we love it and have friends that have the same one and love it! It's sturdy and doesn't look bulky like a lot of other cribs."
Best 4-in-1 Baby Crib
DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
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The DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib gives you a lot of bang for your buck by converting to four different configurations. With one purchase, you get a crib, a toddler bed, a daybed and a twin bed. That means you’re set with a bed frame until your kid graduates high school. Plus, there are four mattress heights to choose from.
This baby crib is made of 100 percent sustainable New Zealand pine — to give it dependable durability — and it features a traditional design in one of seven colors. Bonus: The crib is Greenguard Gold certified, which means your baby isn’t sleeping in something that’s giving off a lot of volatile chemicals.
Height/weight limit: Up to 35 inches, or when child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches (crib); up to 50 pounds (toddler bed); up to 500 pounds (full-size bed)
Weight: 60 pounds
Dimensions: 54.5 x 37 x 42 inches
"I got theDaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib. It turns into a toddler bed and then a child's bed. You can get a conversion kit to turn it into a full-size bed, too. They are really sturdy and attractive, so I'm not worried about it not lasting."
Best Travel Crib
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light
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At just 13 pounds, this bestselling travel crib is much lighter than the typical playard, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you decide to explore. It’s simple to set up and fold open, and it comes in one piece so you don’t lose any small parts in the shuffle. The handy travel bag keeps the crib compact when it’s not in use.
Also good? This baby crib’s airy mesh fabric gives your baby good ventilation and allows you to see her completely, unlike cribs with wooden slats, and the material is removable and washable (you can wash the crib fabric on warm and mattress cover on hot). Your baby will love the thick and comfy mattress and you’ll appreciate how convenient it is to haul this crib from room to room or city to city.
Age range: Newborn to approximately 3 years, or until your child can climb out of the crib
Weight: 13 pounds
Dimensions: 32 x 44 x 24 inches
"If you're going to actually travel a lot, I recommend the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light. It's only about 7 pounds and practically puts itself up. Seriously, you can pull it out of the bag, flip it over and it's pretty much set up. I love ours."
Most Affordable Baby Crib
IKEA Sniglar Crib
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Before you start dreading putting this crib together — with IKEA’s signature screws and Allen wrenches — you should consider that it comes with an IKEA price tag, too. It’s one of the most budget-friendly cribs available and doesn’t sacrifice its durability to save you money.
The uncomplicated design blends seamlessly with any décor you pair it with and the simple functionality means less work for you. Just remove the front side to convert it to a toddler bed and use a standard crib mattress (IKEA recommends using one of its mattresses). You can also adjust the height level to two different positions depending on what you need and how old your little one is.
Weight limit: 50 pounds; one crib side can be removed when your child can climb into or out of it
Weight: 35 pounds
Dimensions: 53.9 x 29.1 x 33.1 inches
"We loved ours so much for our 9 month old. We are expecting again and already purchased another for baby number two."
"We use it with our daughter who is almost 2. We totally plan to buy a second for this babe. I love the simplicity."
Best Modern Baby Crib
Babyletto Hudson Crib
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While you’ll more for this convertible crib, you’ll also get more. The crib can transform into both a toddler bed and a daybed, and the mattress height has four adjustable positions. Keep the mattress elevated when your baby is small, so you don’t have to lean too far into the crib to pick her up. You can move it lower once she starts to stand (and attempts to climb out when your back is turned).
The baby crib’s thin spindles give your nursery an open and airy look — and help you see your baby from across the room — while still complying with crib standards that slats should be no more than 2.375 inches apart. It’s also Greenguard Gold certified to keep indoor chemical emissions to a minimum.
Height/weight limit: Up to 35 inches, or when baby can climb (crib); up to 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 53 pounds
Dimensions: 53.75 x 29.75 x 35 inches
"We purchased the Babyletto Hudson for our little one. We've been pleased with how solid and sturdy it is, and it was very simple to put together."
Best Acrylic Baby Crib
Babyletto Harlow Acrylic and White 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
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For those who favor a more modern aesthetic, there’s a popular new trend in baby cribs — sleepers with clear acrylic slats that look sleek, plus allow you to get a better glimpse of baby from across the room.
This particular model, which is Greenguard Gold-certified to keep baby’s nursery as non-toxic as possible, has all kinds of convenience features. Think: four adjustable mattress positions and an included conversion kit so you can transform the crib into a toddler bed and, later, a daybed.
Weight limit: Newborn to 4 years, or when baby begins to climb or reaches 35 inches (crib); 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 80 pounds
Dimensions: 53.5 x 30 x 34.5 inches
“This crib is modern and beautiful! It is the highlight of my nursery and photographed so well.”
Most Versatile Baby Crib
Nursery Works Novella 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
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Though this crib comes at a very real premium, it’s one that some parents say is justifiable because of how versatile the crib is. This statement-making crib — just look at that ultra-cool mid-century modern vibe — converts to a reading nook (cushion sold separately), daybed or toddler bed once baby is through the first year or two.
The attractive ash-veneered MDF and birch plywood is also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it’s been screened for 360 VOCs and over 10,000 chemicals, so you’ll rest easy knowing baby is in a safe space.
Weight limit: Stop using when child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches (crib); 50 pounds (toddler bed); 300 pounds (reading nook)
Weight: 85 pounds
Dimensions: 55 x 30 x 29 inches
“Such a modern fun take on a crib. And gender neutral which means I can possibly use again :).”
Best Natural Wood Baby Crib
Nestig Wave Crib
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If this stylish crib proves anything, it’s that sometimes playing it “safe” by choosing a simple wood finish is the best way to go. Despite its natural appearance, this crib is anything but basic. The sleek lines make it ultra-eye catching, and the function is top-notch, with three adjustable height positions.
It’s a great choice for apartment dwellers planning to move to a larger space within baby’s first year, as it converts from a mini crib, to a full crib, to a toddler bed, leaving your options wide open and ensuring baby fits comfortably well beyond those first six months or so.
Weight limit: Newborn to 6 months (mini crib); when child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches (crib); 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 46 pounds (mini crib); 98 pounds (full crib); 91 pounds (toddler bed)
Dimensions: 31 x 24.5 x 31.5 (mini crib); 53.5 x 31 x 31.5 (crib); 53.5 x 31 x 29 inches (toddler bed)
“We are obsessed!! The crib is gorgeous. Low profile but sturdy. Putting it together wasn’t too hard. And the three phases came in three separate boxes so it was easy to just stow away the big crib and toddler bed supplies.”
Best Baby Crib With Storage
Graco Remi 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer
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It’s no secret that babies come with a lot of stuff, and if you lack the closet space, you’re going to need to get creative. A crib with built-in storage is a great solution, since it ups your capacity and keeps everything you need close at hand.
The Graco Remi takes things to new heights, with ample space just about everywhere you look — in drawers under a dedicated changing space to the side and under the crib mattress. Still, you won’t sacrifice on sleep space. The full-size crib offers plenty of room for baby, even through the toddler years. Later, the crib can convert to a daybed, toddler bed and even a full-size bed (conversion kit sold separately).
Weight limit: Up to 35 inches or when baby starts to climb; up to 30 pounds (changing table); up to 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 105 pounds
Dimensions: 29.53 x 71.77 x 35.94 inches
“The crib took a couple hours to assemble, but as long as you follow the directions, it's very easy to do! The dark wood looks great and goes with any decor or paint scheme and it is incredibly sturdy. The thing I am most looking forward to is all the storage. There are 4 total drawers with the largest underneath the bed/mattress and also 2 shelves to store everything you need for baby.”
- WhatToExpect.com, Crib Safety, August 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Safe Sleep, 2021.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safe Sleep – Cribs and Infant Products Information Center, 2021.
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