Nursery & Sleep Products The Take Back Your Bed Guide The Take Back Your Bed Guide Overview Transitioning Out of Co-Sleeping Toddler Bedroom Tips Best Toddler Beds Transitioning from a Toddler Bed Best Twin Mattresses Go to Sleep Strategies Teach Your Toddler to Stay In Bed The Best Toddler Beds for Kids to Transition From a Crib By Ashley Ziegler Ashley Ziegler LinkedIn Ashley Ziegler is a lifestyle writer specializing in motherhood, family health, and consumer products. She has written for Romper, Moms.com, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 11, 2022 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Family / Lecia Landis Transitioning from the crib to a toddler bed is a big and exciting milestone. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests toddlers be moved out of their cribs no later than when they reach 35 inches tall or when the cribs’ side rails are at about chest height. Although, if you see your toddler attempting to climb out before they reach the height requirement, go ahead and make the transition to the toddler bed early to avoid injury from a fall. The materials it’s made from, its design, and its safety are all things to consider when shopping for a toddler bed. We carefully considered design, material, value, and any age, height, and weight recommendations when reviewing products. To ensure accurate information about safety concerns and timing, a pediatrician from our Review Board reviewed this article. Here are the best toddler beds on the market to help make the transition easier. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Dream On Me Classic Design Toddler Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: KidKraft Houston Wooden Toddler Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best 3-in-1: Dream On Me 3-in-1 Emma Convertible Bed at Walmart Jump to Review Best Wooden: DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib at Amazon Jump to Review Best Plastic: Delta Children Plastic Toddler Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Rail: Child Craft Forever Eclectic Hampton Pine Toddler Bed at Walmart Jump to Review Best Floor Bed: Walsport Children Toddler Bed at Walmart Jump to Review Best Portable: Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Dream On Me Classic Design Toddler Bed 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Cymax.com Pros Available in several different finishes Budget-friendly Six legs Cons Assembly is difficult for some Mattress sold separately The Dream On Me Classic Design Toddler Bed earned our top spot because it's classic, stylish, and durable for years of use. It has six legs instead of four to provide extra stability and sits low to the ground so your toddler can get in and out easily and won’t get injured if they roll out in their sleep. It also has two rails, one on each side of the bed, so you don’t have to push it up against a wall if you don’t want to. This bed is made from wood, fits a standard crib mattress, and can accommodate a toddler up to 50 pounds. Price at time of publication: $99 Key Specs:Dimensions: 57 x 28 x 30 inches | Product Weight: 16.5 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds Best Budget KidKraft Houston Wooden Toddler Bed Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros Two short rails Sits low to the ground Four different color options Cons May not fit some mattresses Some colors more costly than others This bed is both budget-friendly and adorable. It’s available in four different colors and features two short rails, one on each side of the bed. The bed is made from engineered wood and sits low to the ground, but while it’s designed to fit crib mattresses, you’ll want to check the dimensions because some might be slightly too large. Price at time of publication: $91 Key Specs:Dimensions: 53.25 x 28.50 x 18.15 inches | Product Weight: 28.38 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds Best 3-in-1 Dream On Me 3-in-1 Emma Convertible Bed Walmart View On Walmart View On Buybuy BABY View On Home Depot Pros Unique design (bed or chairs with table) Made from solid wood Cons Conversion kits sold separately By far one of the more unique designs, this bed can either be set up as a toddler bed with two sets of railings (two at the head of the bed, two at the foot) or converted into two kid-size armchairs and a little table (with a conversion kit). It fits a standard crib mattress, sits low to the ground for safety, and is made from solid wood. This bed is available in an assortment of colors and can hold toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds. Price at time of publication: $129 Key Specs:Dimensions: 56 x 29 x 28 inches | Product Weight: 27 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds Best Wooden DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros Multiple color options Spindle rails Three conversion options Cons Costly Conversion kit sold separately Heavy When you picture a cute little kid’s bed in your mind, this is probably the image that comes up. It’s designed with adorable spindle rails for extra style, has safety rails on both sides, and is made from New Zealand pine wood. Designed to be used from infancy up to toddlerhood with three conversion options, you'll love that you can hang on to this one for a while. One thing to keep in mind is that the toddler bed conversion kit is sold separately so don't forget to add that to your cart too! Price at time of publication: $220 Key Specs:Dimensions: 54.62 x 30.38 x 41.12 inches | Product Weight: 40.5 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds The 14 Best Twin Mattresses for Kids of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Plastic Delta Children Plastic Toddler Bed Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Buybuy BABY Pros Budget-friendly Fun design for Mickey and Minnie fans Mattress and bed can be bought together Cons Only two design options Stickers may come off over time For toddlers who love Minnie and Mickey, this bed will be a hit. The Minnie style bed is a sweet fuchsia color and the Mickey style bed has bold blue and yellow details. Both are made from plastic and metal construction and you have the option of purchasing the bed alone and using your own crib mattress or buying the bed and mattress as a combo. The beds have guard rails on each side, sit low to the ground, and can hold toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds. Price at time of publication: $70 Key Specs:Dimensions: 53.94 x 29.13 x 26.18 inches | Product Weight: 18.74 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds The 8 Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors of 2023 Best with Rail Child Craft Forever Eclectic Hampton Pine Toddler Bed Walmart View On Walmart View On Wayfair View On Wayfair Pros Built-in guardrails Stylish finish Cons Some colors may appear differently in person If you’re looking for something that looks like a miniature version of a standard bed, then this adorable toddler bed is for you. You can choose between four classic, stylish finishes and safely fit a crib mattress of your liking. The bed can hold toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds, has two side rails for safety, and is made from sturdy pine wood. Not to mention, it’s just so darn cute. Price at time of publication: $135 Key Specs:Dimensions: 31 x 30.50 x 29.50 inches | Product Weight: 23 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 50 pounds The Best Crib Mattresses for Sweet Dreams Best Floor Bed Walsport Children Toddler Bed Walmart View On Walmart Pros Made from natural pine wood Close to the ground Cons Large You don’t have to worry about your child rolling out of bed and injuring themself at all with this setup because your child’s mattress will sit directly on the floor. The frame is cut out to ensure the mattress doesn’t slide around on the floor, and also has a cute house design, so it can double as a playhouse when your tot isn’t sleeping in it. It’s made from pine wood and stands at around 63 inches tall at its peak. Price at time of publication: $180 Key Specs:Dimensions: 63 × 27.6 inches | Product Weight: Not Listed | Maximum Child Weight: Not Listed The 8 Best Toddler Pillows to Help Your Child Sleep Comfortably Best Portable Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros High child weight limit Lightweight Collapsible Cons Some colors cost more than others Middle area of bed may be higher than other spots For families that travel, it’s important to have a bed your toddler can sleep in since cribs are usually too small, and traditional beds may not be quite safe enough yet. This is a great option for that because the canvas “mattress” lifts your toddler up off the floor and sits on a metal frame that is lightweight and folds down/collapses easily. Complete with a fitted sheet, this bed is ideal for kids between ages 2 and 5 years old and weighing up to 75 pounds, so parents get a lot of bang for their buck. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs:Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 9 inches | Product Weight: 6.25 pounds | Maximum Child Weight: 75 pounds The 9 Best Toddler Travel Beds of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Final Verdict All of the toddler beds on this list are great options, but we ranked the Dream On Me Classic Design Toddler Bed (view at Amazon) as our number one pick for its size, overall design and style, and the many color choices buyers get. What to Look for When Buying a Toddler Bed Material As with all furniture, the material a toddler bed is made out of is a very important consideration. You will want to ensure that it is durable, safe, and high-quality. Even though your child likely won’t be in a toddler bed for more than a few years, given their age you still need to be extra cautious to ensure the part of the bed won’t come loose (and pinch a body part) and that it can withstand a toddler inevitably jumping up and down on it. Design There are a few different design elements to consider when shopping for a toddler bed. First, look at the mattress height off of the floor. Before moving to a toddler bed, children are enclosed in their crib, so there is a very good chance that they will roll out of the toddler bed a time or two as they get used to the change. This means you’ll want a bed that is low to the ground to prevent injury. Another thing to consider is the bed’s weight limit, as that could impact how long your child can safely sleep in the bed before you need to invest in a new bed. Finally, consider what kind of style you’d like. Traditional Bed: These are not considered toddler beds, as they fit standard size mattresses (twin, full, etc.) and sit up higher from the ground. If you decide to transition your child into a traditional bed, you’ll want to also invest in a good railing to put up on the side to ensure your child doesn’t fall out and injure themself. Convertible Cribs: Some cribs are designed to last a child from infancy into their teens (and possibly beyond). These beds are convertible and can usually be set up as a crib, a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler daybed (without a railing), and a full-size bed with conversion kits. Toddler Bed: This is going to be just a standard toddler bed that sits low to the ground, (usually) has a railing, and does not have any conversion options. These come in a lot of different styles and are a very common model. Floor Bed: Instead of elevating the mattress like a standard toddler bed does, a floor bed keeps it on the ground in a frame which gives toddlers even more protection from rolling out of the bed at night and a sense of independence. Floor beds still have some type of framing, so it’s not just a mattress on the floor, and some designs also offer railings (though it’s very uncommon). Frequently Asked Questions How long can a toddler sleep in a toddler bed? There is no magic age for a child to move from a toddler bed to a traditional bed, it’s usually a matter of size and readiness. First, parents should check the bed’s height and weight limit and if the child has reached one or both of the limits, it’s time to transition.If not, then it has more to do with whether or not you and/or your child are ready. Maybe you need the bed for a new baby or maybe your child is asking for a big kid bed. If you need to transition them but are concerned about them rolling out, invest in a toddler rail to give them a little extra protection. When should I transition my kid into a toddler bed? The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests toddlers be moved out of their cribs no later than when they reach 35 inches tall or when the cribs’ side rails are at about chest height. However, if your toddler is trying to climb out of the crib before they’re this tall, and they have been nearly successful (or successful) in doing this then it’s better to transition them into a toddler bed than to risk injury from a fall. Why Trust Verywell Family? Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include design, age appropriateness, and user reviews. 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Make baby’s room safe: parent checklist. HealthyChildren.org. Make baby’s room safe: parent checklist. HealthyChildren.org. 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