The 8 Best Baby Cribs of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib at Amazon

"It easily converts from crib to cozy toddler bed to daybed, while the adjustable mattress platform accommodates baby's growth."

Best Budget: IKEA Gulliver Crib at Ikea

"The affordable pick's base has two heights, and one side of the crib is removable for converting into a toddler bed."

Best Convertible: DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib at Amazon

"Designed for longevity, this option easily converts from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and full-sized bed."

Best Acrylic: Pottery Barn Kids Sloan Acrylic Convertible Crib at potterybarnkids.com

"Made with clear slats, the style lends itself to an open, airy feel and shows off the sheets, walls, and nursery design."

Best Mini Crib: Babyletto Gelato 4-in-1 Mini Crib at modernnursery.com

"Suitable for newborns until about 18 months, the mini crib provides a safe space for a baby in their parent’s room or a nursery."

Best for Travel: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib at Amazon

"Ideal for vacations or overnight trips to the grandparent's house, this portable crib is easy to set up, fold, and carry."

Best Alternative Shape: Stokke Sleepi Bed Crib at Amazon

"Ideal if you desire a unique design, it features lockable wheels for transporting while one side is removable for easy access."

Best Foldable: Dream On Me Jett Mini Folding Crib at Amazon

"A helpful way to stash a full-sized crib in a vacation house or grandparent’s house, it folds flat and has lockable wheels."

One thing that babies need is a safe and comfy place to sleep. To establish good sleep habits, it helps to have a designated spot for your baby to sleep. While they may start in a bassinet, many families choose to move their older babies to their own cribs.

When selecting a crib, find a style, size, and price point that fits your family. Most cribs are sold without a mattress, which will be purchased separately. The crib mattress should be very firm with no sagging from your baby’s weight. Additionally, there shouldn’t be space between the mattress and the sides of the crib.

Here are the best cribs for your baby, budget, and style.

Best Overall: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Well-priced with a classic and versatile style, this top pick easily adapts from crib to cozy toddler bed to daybed, with the conversion kit included. As a crib, the metal mattress platform can be placed at four different heights, so it easily accommodates your growing baby. Stylish parents will appreciate the six color options, ranging from single standard colors to two-color options.

Dimensions: 53.5 x 29.5 x 35 inches | Weight: 54 pounds | Max Child Weight: 50 pounds

Best Budget: IKEA Gulliver Crib

Count on IKEA to produce a budget-friendly classic crib. Highly rated and simplistically designed, the base has two heights and one side of the crib can be removed to transform into a toddler bed. Available only in white, this crib won’t break the bank.

Dimensions: 53.5 x 29.5 x 33 inches | Weight: 44 pounds | Max Child Weight:

Best Convertible: DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

A convertible crib is a smart option for kids who’ll be in their own room for a long time. As they grow, simply change the bed to match their age and stage. Made for longevity, this option easily converts from a crib to a toddler bed, daybed, and full-sized bed (toddler and full-size bed conversion kits sold separately).

Dimensions: 54.5 x 35 x 42 inches | Weight: 50 pounds | Max Child Weight: 50 pounds

Best Acrylic: Pottery Barn Kids Sloan Acrylic Convertible Crib

For an altogether modern take on the baby crib, acrylic cribs stand out from the pack. Made with clear slats, the style lends itself to an open, airy feel and shows off the sheets, walls, and nursery design. With this crib, the mattress height has only two options and a toddler conversion kit is sold separately.

Dimensions: 54 x 30 x 36.5 inches | Weight: 83 pounds | Max Child Weight: 200 pounds

Best Mini Crib: Babyletto Gelato 4-in-1 Mini Crib

babyletto white mini crib — Courtesy of babyletto

Suitable from the newborn stage until about 18 months, a mini crib provides safe sleeping space for a baby in their parent’s room, small nursery, or anywhere else. Just because it’s small, this option doesn’t miss out on style. The 4-in-1 crib transitions to a toddler bed, day bed, or twin bed (conversion kits sold separately). When buying a mini crib, you’ll need to buy a mattress and sheets designed for this smaller-sized crib.

Dimensions: 39.75 x 26 x 35 inches | Weight: 40 pounds | Max Child Weight: 2 years old or 35 inches tall

Best for Travel: Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light Review

Provide a safe, cozy, and comfortable place for your baby to sleep when away from home. Well-loved by parents, this portable crib is most-like a standard crib. Parent reviewers love that it is easy to set up, fold, and carry.

It’s suitable from birth until about 3 years old (or when your kiddo can climb out) and comes with a mattress, mattress cover, and compact carrying case.

Dimensions: 44 x 32 x 24 inches | Weight (including carrying bag): 13 pounds | Max Child Weight: Up to 3 years old

Best Alternative Shape: Stokke Sleepi Bed Crib

Create a cozy nest for your little one with this Scandinavian-designed, unique oval crib. There are lockable swivel wheels so the crib can be moved from room to room and the mattress base adjusts to a few height levels. Once your babe has reached the curious toddler stage, remove the one side of the bed for easy access and independent movement in and out of bed.

Due to the unique oval shape, the accompanying oval Stokke mattress is required.

Dimensions: 29.1 x 33.6 x 50 inches | Weight: 44 pounds | Max Child Weight: 176 pounds

Best Foldable: Dream On Me Jett Mini Folding Crib

A foldable crib is a helpful way to stash a full-sized crib in a vacation house, grandparent’s house, or anywhere else where it may need to get put away. Ideal for small spaces, it folds flat and has lockable wheels so it’s easy to transport.

The three-position mattress keeps pace with a growing baby. Available in five colors, this crib comes with a 1.5-inch mattress pad that stores flat in the crib when it’s folded. Purchasing an additional crib mattress will be necessary.

Dimensions: 38 x 26 x 36 inches | Weight: 36 pounds | Max Child Weight: 50 pounds

Final Verdict

For a classic crib that’ll grow with your baby through many nights, the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Crib (view on Amazon) is well-made, affordable, and has some conversion options. Parents looking for a pop of style may prefer the Pottery Barn Kids Sloan Acrylic Crib (view on Pottery Barn Kids) which really stands out from the rest and shows off a well-designed nursery.

What to Look for in a Baby Crib

Size

Prior to purchasing, check the measurements of your crib and the designated space in your child’s room the crib will go. Standard cribs typically measure around 28 inches x 52 inches while mini cribs usually measure between 24 to 28 inches x 36 to 43 inches.

Standard vs. Convertible

While you may not know from the moment your child is born, try to think about how your child will use the crib and if you already own toddler or bigger beds. Convertible cribs can transform a regular crib into a toddler bed and then into a full-size bed. Mini cribs can only hold babies up to a certain size while standard cribs do not convert at all.

Bar Spacing Safety

Just like checking for size is important, it's also vital to check the spacing between the crib's slats. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the space between the crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches or six centimeters. Double-checking this spacing ensures your child’s body will not be able to slip through. Additionally, always look for missing or cracked slats.

Mattress Height

Before putting your child in their crib, check how tall the crib's sides are in relation to the top of the mattress to prevent your tot from climbing out and potentially hurt themselves. According to the regulations outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, raised crib sides should be at least 26 inches about the top of the mattress.

FAQs

When should a baby be transitioned to a crib?

Transitioning a baby to a crib is all a matter of choice and lifestyle. Some babies start sleeping right away in their cribs, while others may first sleep in a bassinet or play yard. Most babies will move to a crib by 3 to 6 months.

How long should a baby stay in a crib?

Babies are all different. Some can happily stay in a crib past 3 years old while others may protest or even climb out of their crib by 18 months. There is a level of maturity and healthy sleep habits required to stay in a big-kid bed all night, so try to keep your kiddo in a crib as long as safely possible.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. Her beloved grandmother was honored to buy the crib for her first grandson, and three kids later, that crib is enjoying life as a toddler bed.

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