Best Toddler Beds
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 Toddler Bed Overall : Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed
- Best Budget-Friendly Bed : Dream On Me Sydney Toddler Bed
- Best Upholstered Bed : Karla Dubois Bodhi Velvet Toddler Bed
- Best Wooden Bed : Pottery Barn Kids Toddler Shelter Bed
- Best Plastic Bed : Delta Children Plastic Toddler Bed
- Best Toddler Daybed : Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed
- Best Floor Bed : Sweedi Toddler Solid Wood Bed by South Shore
- Best 3-in-1 Bed : DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
For parents of little ones, sleep is an all-consuming subject from day one. It starts with selecting a bassinet, then a crib and bedding that fits all safe sleep guidelines. And it continues well into toddlerhood as you navigate everything from nap schedules to bedtime strikes. But then one day — just like that — your child will be ready to graduate from the crib and trade up to a “big kid” bed.
When to transition your child to a toddler bed
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests moving your child to a big kid bed once she is about 35 inches tall, or when the height of the crib’s side rail is less than three-quarters of her height (which is about nipple level). If you have a climber on your hands, you may need to switch even sooner than this — the AAP cites climbing out of the crib as one of the most common causes of falls.
When exactly can you expect your child to meet the above criteria? There’s really no one-size-fits-all answer, since children’s physicality and agility vary so much at this age. That said, most children make the switch somewhere between 18 months and 3 ½ years of age.
Types of toddler beds
When shopping for your little one’s new digs, you’ll have a few different options:
- Convertible cribs: These cribs are designed to, well, convert from a traditional crib to a toddler bed. Some later convert to a daybed or even a full-sized bed. If you purchased one of these right from the start, you may already have what you need. (In some cases, you have to buy a few additional parts of adapters from the manufacturer.)
- Traditional toddler bed: These beds look like pint-sized twin beds. They sit low to the ground and often have a railing. The downside to going this route is that these beds have a short lifespan — they’re meant to be transitional pieces between the crib and a regular bed.
- Floor bed: If you’re worried about your toddler rolling out of bed or climbing over any guard rail, a floor bed is a good option. As the name indicates, it’s simply a mattress atop a frame that sits directly on the ground. You can also place a plain mattress on the ground without a frame.
Child safety experts from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) say a traditional or floor bed — twin or otherwise — is perfectly suitable and safe, but if you think your child may roll off the bed, make sure to install a guard rail, says Karen Sheehan, M.D., M.P.H., attending physician, emergency medicine and medical director of Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Still, many parents choose to ease into the transition by using a toddler bed first.
What to look for in a toddler bed
The CPSC defines a toddler bed as any bed that fits a full-size crib mattress, and is intended for use by little ones at least 15 months old and no more than 50 pounds in weight. If you decide to go with a traditional toddler bed, make sure to consider the following features:
- Frame size: Look for a frame that holds a standard-size crib mattress. The crib mattress should fit snugly into the bed frame, since gaps between the mattress and the frame pose an entrapment hazard.
- Side rails: Not all toddler beds have rails, though some do come with fixed or removable rails. If your child is a restless sleeper, this is a nice feature to have. But if you think your child will just use them as a climbing mechanism, it’s better to skip them. You can also put pillows on the ground by the bed for added protection if your little one rolls.
- Quality: It’s not always wise to choose the cheapest toddler bed. Kids this age are tough on all their things, so look for something made of durable material, since this will ensure the bed is nice and sturdy. Also make sure the bed has a smooth finish with rounded edges and concealed hardware.
- Safety certifications: If you go with a traditional toddler bed, make sure it’s been tested to CPSC regulation. Some beds may also note that they meet Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards as well. It’s also worth checking to make sure the CPSC hasn't recalled any products you're considering. (You can use the CPSC's search tool to find up-to-date information.)
How we chose the best toddler beds
We browsed the What to Expect community to see which toddler beds parents have in their own homes and recommend to others and scanned tons of online reviews in order to see which picks worked the best for a majority of tots. We then vetted each selection and conducted additional product research to make sure each selection matched the criteria from Dr. Sheehan and safety experts from the CPSC — every bed on our list fits a standard-size crib mattress and meets CPSC regulations.
Keep reading to find the best toddler beds, so your little one can continue to sleep soundly once she graduates from her crib.
Best Toddler Bed Overall
Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed
If you’re looking for a classic toddler bed to suit just about any nursery aesthetic, you’ll find it with the Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed. It’s a sturdy, well-made bed that has two fixed rails to keep your little one right where she should be. And while the rails may be a bit small in width for some preferences, you’ll notice that it makes it easier for your toddler to hop in and out (important for potty training). The sleigh-style bed is both JPMA- and Greenguard Gold-certified (meaning it meets or exceeds strict chemical emissions standards), and comes in three colors: white, gray and cherry.
Maximum weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds
Weight: 20 pounds
Dimensions: 30 x 24.5 x 56.5 inches
Best Budget-Friendly Bed
Dream On Me Sydney Toddler Bed
Though this toddler bed is made of New Zealand pinewood — a nice, sturdy material — it comes at a very reasonable price compared to its competitors. Because the bed is basically just a rectangle frame with two short rails, the aesthetic is relatively basic. That said, a bell-shaped full panel headboard and the ability to select from seven colors (including fun shades like blush pink, lavender ice and mint) gives this option just enough style points. If you have a restless sleeper on your hands, you’ll love how stable this pick is, thanks to the addition of two center legs.
Maximum weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds
Weight: 19 pounds
Dimensions: 53 x 29 x 28 inches
Best Upholstered Bed
Karla Dubois Bodhi Velvet Toddler Bed
If you’re going for a more sophisticated vibe but still want to up the coziness factor in your little one’s room, you’ll love this toddler bed by Karla Dubois. Sure, it’ll cost you more than some other options, but there’s a lot to show for that price tag, including a sleek, fully upholstered profile and petite wooden legs. It’s not just easy on the eyes, though — this bed is a particularly good option for toddlers who are hesitant to leave the comfort and security of their crib, since it’s much more encompassing than other comparable beds. The soft velvet and rounded edges make this a good choice for anyone with particularly unruly kids, too, since there are no sharp edges anywhere.
Weight: 50 pounds
Dimensions: 25 x 31 x 55.5 inches
Best Wooden Bed
Pottery Barn Kids Toddler Shelter Bed
When aesthetic is just as important as quality, you may want to splurge on this wooden toddler bed from Pottery Barn Kids. Like just about everything the brand makes, the bed is highly attractive and bound to look just right in any room. What’s more, with details like a hand-applied finish, it’s built to last — particularly great for families who intend to use the bed for multiple children throughout the years. It’s also Greenguard Gold-certified and has been tested to meet or exceed all industry safety standards. Another big bonus: You can hire Pottery Barn to do the assembling for you.
Maximum weight/height limit: 50 pounds
Weight: 50 pounds
Dimensions: 31.5 x 57 x 26 inches
Best Plastic Bed
Delta Children Plastic Toddler Bed
Do you struggle to get your little one to sleep come bedtime? This fun toddler bed might help coax her under the covers. The plastic bed is adorned with beloved TV and movie characters — choose from the likes of PJ Masks, Cocomelon, Paw Patrol and more. It’s not all about the fun, though. The low-profile bed is easy to get in and out of, plus has two side rails that’ll keep your tot safe and sound. And, if it makes things easier, you can even purchase the bed with a mattress.
Maximum weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds
Weight: 18.74 pounds
Dimensions: 53.94 x 29.13 x 26.18 inches
Best Toddler Daybed
Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed
A daybed is a particularly good choice for anyone working with a small space, since it tucks right up against the wall much like a crib would. As an added bonus, this means there’s no need to reconfigure your little one’s entire room just because she’s graduating to a big kid bed — simply stick the bed right where the crib once was. The Dream On Me Austin Toddler Day Bed is constructed with both curvy and straight lines, providing an aesthetic that looks right at home in both modern and traditional spaces. And a single side rail lends a bit of protection against rolling, without making it too difficult for your little one to get in and out of bed.
Maximum weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds
Weight: 24 pounds
Dimensions: 54 x 30 x 29 inches
Best Floor Bed
Sweedi Toddler Solid Wood Bed by South Shore
Love it
Reviews
A departure from other toddler beds, yes, but this Montessori-style floor bed is so much fun for toddlers. Though it sits firmly on the ground, the natural wood frame creates the shape of a house overhead to make your little one feel like her bed is a truly special place to be. And don’t worry about bumping your head on those crossbars — you can remove one to give yourself a little extra room to get in and out for storytime. The Scandi-inspired bed looks great in just about any space and is all but guaranteed to delight both kids and parents alike.
Weight: 19 pounds
Dimensions: 30.5 x 54.5 x 47.5 inches
“We got this one and are using his crib mattress. We love it.”
Best 3-in-1 Bed
DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Love it
Reviews
Many parents love the convenience of a convertible crib, not to mention it eliminates the need to purchase multiple beds during the early years of your child’s life. This one has a really sweet style that complements most nurseries, thanks to the beautiful wooden spindles and scalloped edges, plus the fact that it comes in several colors. While you do need to purchase a conversion kit to turn it into a toddler bed, it’s a small price to pay for the flexibility (and less costly than buying a whole new toddler bed). You can also feel good knowing this crib/toddler bed combo is Greenguard Gold-certified.
Maximum weight/height limit: Up to 35 inches, or when child begins to climb (crib); up to 50 pounds (toddler bed)
Weight: 40 pounds
Dimensions: 52 x 28 inches (interior)
“We were gifted a davinci crib for our first and loved it. It held up great!”
- Karen Sheehan, M.D., M.P.H., Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine and Medical Director of Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Big Kid Beds: When to Make the Switch September 2013.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Make Baby's Room Safe: Parent Checklist, August 2020.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Transitioning from Crib to Toddler Bed, December 2021.
- Stanford Children’s Health, Moving Your Toddler from Crib to Bed.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Safety Standard for Toddler Beds, April 2011.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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