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Affordable, long-lasting and stylish picks that expand into toddler beds and full-size beds. 3 Wheeled Stroller
As an infant, your child will hopefully spend at least half the day inside one of the best cribs on the market (lots of development happens during sleep!). That means that when you're setting up your nursery, you'll definitely want to invest in a piece of furniture that's safe, well constructed and aesthetically pleasing, and a convertible crib is a great option. It can transition with your child from infancy through the toddler years — and potentially into preschool and beyond — since it can convert from a baby crib to a toddler bed, a daybed or a full-size bed's headboard and footboard. Keep in mind that the conversion kits are often sold separately. Also, as you're planning, remember to budget for a crib mattress (sold separately).
What's the best convertible crib for most people? Our top-tested model for 2023 is the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, which has four adjustable mattress positions you can gradually lower as your child grows. We also love that it includes the toddler conversion kit, so no add-on purchases are necessary. Plus, it's not only design-forward but also easy to assemble, and it feels sturdy despite its light weight. If you're on a tighter budget or want a bright, fun color choice, we recommend the DaVinci Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we exhaustively research and test products for babies and children to determine which items are worth buying, such as the best strollers, baby jumpers, baby bouncers and the best changing tables. We based our final picks for convertible cribs for every nursery on data from rigorous tests performed by four lead researchers, feedback we received from more than 50 families on our consumer panel, our deep knowledge of top brands and our in-depth reviews of all specifications and features. You probably already know that there are reliable baby crib brands on the market, but our list of picks for specific convertible cribs will help you narrow your options down even further.
Keep reading after our list for more information on how we test convertible cribs and what to look for when you're shopping for one — plus crib safety tips and how much you should spend on a crib. Looking for bedding gear and baby gadgets to add to your registry list? Check out our favorite crib sheets, baby monitors and baby sound machines for inspiration.
A best seller for years now, the Babyletto Hudson Convertible Crib has four adjustable mattress positions, so as your baby grows you can slowly lower the height (and prevent them from climbing out). We love that this particular crib includes the toddler conversion kit, so you don't need to worry about purchasing add-ons later.
Our experts have built this crib and assure it's easy to assemble and feels sturdy yet lightweight. If you love the mid-century design, you can outfit the room with a Hudson three-drawer dresser with a changing table too.
This crib, and many others on our list, has Greenguard Gold Certification, meaning it's been screened for hundreds of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and thousands of toxic chemicals. This and most cribs are made of soft wood, which can get chipped, but we don't hold that against the crib. We just suggest you check the pieces when they arrive to be sure nothing was damaged in shipping. We also always suggest building the crib in the nursery so you don't have to try to fit a completed crib through a doorway.
It's tough to find a crib as well constructed as this one for such a bargain in the convertible-crib space. It's also unusual to find fun color options like this teal, called "blue lagoon," at this price. The simple silhouette is streamlined and modern — and a petite 33.5 inches high, nice for short parents. If you're looking for a large, noticeable statement piece, though, this crib might not be the best one for you.
Among the more than 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews, we like this testimonial: "The crib has handled my now-3-year-old climbing in and out of it, jumping in it and shaking it, and it has been taken apart and moved four times since we bought it. She still stands as sturdy as the day we put it together."
It can convert into a toddler bed with the purchase of the separate toddler rail, and the front and back pieces can become a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed with a separate kit.
You can stash things under any crib, but it's easier to access that under-crib storage with this one, since there's a storage drawer built in. Use it to hold extra crib sheets, pajama sets and more. Pro tip: Don't overstuff the drawer or your things might catch at the top, and a few online reviewers report that the drawer can also catch at the bottom if you have high-pile carpeting. Expect a handful of extra assembly steps, plus extra hardware to mount the drawer, and know that the drawer makes this crib a bit heavier than the other DaVinci cribs on our list.
The Colby can convert into a toddler bed with the purchase of the separate toddler rail, and the front and back pieces can become a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed with a separate kit. When the mattress is in either of its two highest positions, you can see down into the drawer; consider using a crib skirt if you want to fill in the space.
If you want a classic high-back look for a more traditional home, we like this affordable choice that includes a toddler guardrail so it can last into preschool. If you buy the separate bed conversion kit, the front and back pieces can also become the headboard and footboard for a full-size bed.
Fans of this crib love that it's real stained wood and not cheaply made by any means. In our testing, we didn't struggle to put it together, but a few online reviewers mention watching a YouTube tutorial for help with assembly. The crib is sturdy and can potentially last through several children; just know that the high-back design is best suited for larger nursery spaces.
The timeless, Craftsman-style design of this solid poplar crib looks great with any nursery theme and any other furniture. It can transition from crib to toddler bed with the additional purchase of a conversion kit. We've set this one up and find it to be a heavier, sturdier piece than many other cribs; in fact, we've had testers use it for one sibling after another and report that it holds up well.
A steady favorite, it's been in the Pottery Barn Kids line for years. Note the high sides, though, which might be best for tall parents. Build it yourself with UPS delivery or splurge on Pottery Barn's in-home delivery and assembly service to have it put together for you right in your nursery.
Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman has used the Storkcraft Orchard as a crib but is now using the outside frame as a lasting "quiet zone" in her children's playroom. We agree that it's a sweet conversion, useful for years, when a crib frame can become a playhouse.
You can even use the crib's frame as a playhouse at the same time you're using the crib's interior as either a daybed or the headboard and footboard for a full-size bed. Our testers had no trouble with assembly, but a few online reviewers reported getting a wrong piece, so it's best to check everything before you begin to put this together.
As per usual, IKEA's ingenuity shines through with this crib: It's just a smidge smaller than most full-size cribs, so it's able to fit discreetly into even a small nursery. We find it much easier to build than most IKEA purchases, since there are only five big pieces: four sides, plus the mattress base. The Scandinavian simplicity is a major design perk, but that streamlined aesthetic also means it comes in only one color: white.
Note that IKEA considers the crib to be a toddler bed if you remove the front side, but other brands call this configuration a daybed. Thus, there are no separate conversion kits to buy. Because this crib has a low profile, it's another great choice for short moms and dads who need to be able to easily reach down and pick up their baby. Unlike other cribs on our list, the crib's mattress can be set to only two heights: high and low.
The spindle-style slats on the Jenny Lind convertible crib help create a sweet, retro aesthetic that can look darling in a nursery. Adjust the base to any of the four mattress heights, and transition this crib into a toddler bed when you buy the toddler-rail conversion kit.
A big selling point is that this crib is on removable caster wheels that let you easily position it around the nursery or even roll it into your adult bedroom for those up-and-around-the-clock newborn months. Just remember to take the casters off before your toddler can push it around. It's an affordable choice, too, with a matching changing table that also costs less than $200.
Reviewers loved this crib so much we gave it one of our Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. We appreciate the sturdy, scratch-resistant surface that holds up to heavy use (though the metal is also heavy from a weight perspective, which makes it more difficult to move). Putting it together is fantastically easy too. Take off the front to make it a charming daybed. If you want a matching toddler rail, you can get that, and you can also buy a kit that lets you use the front and back pieces to bookend a full-size bed.
If you like an antique, art deco–inspired look, this is a great bet. Actual vintage cribs are dangerous because they don't conform to modern safety standards. Learn more in our Crib Safety Tips section (below).
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, many of our experts are also parents, so we're able to test a variety of convertible cribs, travel cribs and bassinets both in our Labs and in our homes.
For this piece, we looked at more than 20 convertible cribs: top brands, best sellers and some new options. New cribs must adhere to rigorous federal safety standards, such as ASTM standards F1169, Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs, and F406, Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards. These rules take into account things like the maximum distance between slats (no wider than 2 3/8 inches apart), cribs' side configurations, impact test results and more.
We suggest that parents look for furniture that carries the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association Certification Seal, which means the crib has been third-party tested for conformance to safety guidelines. In addition, because items like finishing paint or certain manufactured woods may have VOCs, we suggest looking for Greenguard Gold Certification in a crib.
Our final list takes into account our product pros' personal experience and expert reviews, feedback from our parent testers and popular brands with hundreds of five-star ratings.
Even if your crib isn't the most expensive thing you buy for your baby (because a nursery glider and even a full-size stroller can cost more), a crib can feel like the most important piece of baby gear — the star of your unique nursery. When shopping, consider these points:
✔️ Conversion kits: If you're set on turning your crib into a toddler bed or headboard and footboard later, consider buying the conversion kits needed right away, since designs can be phased out over time. You want to ensure you have compatible hardware on hand that was designed specifically for your crib when it's time to convert. Full disclosure: At least anecdotally, we don't know a lot of parents who turn a crib into a headboard and footboard down the line. We do know many who use a crib as a toddler bed.
✔️ Adjustable mattress height: To save your back, you'll want to start with the mattress at its highest setting. This way, when the baby is first born, you can easily lift your infant out. As your child grows, you can lower the mattress down as needed so that they can't climb out. Having four options for the mattress height gives you more options than cribs that offer only two heights.
✔️ Alternatives to a convertible crib: If you're undecided or want to wait on buying a full-size crib, you can start with a bassinet for your baby's first six months. There are also mini cribs and cribs that simply stay cribs and don't convert.
All new cribs sold in the United States are required to meet stringent safety testing as set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as part of the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Be exceptionally wary of taking a hand-me-down crib. Older cribs may not meet the more rigorous safety standards in place today.
In addition, worn-out pieces or missing hardware can pose serious problems for the integrity of the furniture. If you do opt for a used crib, check that it has not been recalled and do these three safety checks yourself: Ensure it does not use drop sides, that the distance between the slats is no larger than 2 3/8 inches apart and that the corner posts are not higher than 1/16 of an inch.
It's definitely possible to get a great, safe crib for less than $300, but many cribs worthy of consideration cost a few hundred dollars more. You also have to consider delivery and installation fees (unless you're picking it up and putting it together yourself), as well as the cost of a crib mattress.
That said, convertible cribs offer great value, since you can use the same piece of furniture for your toddler instead of buying a new toddler bed. Plus, you won't have to store or get rid of your crib.
You've got the crib, now set it up! Here's how:
The Good Housekeeping Institute is composed of engineers, scientists and journalists who all work to test, evaluate and write about products using rigorous safety standards. We've been doing it for more than 100 years.
This story was originally reported by Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman, a 15-year veteran of the GH Institute. Her three children, ages 6 and younger, have helped her test more than a dozen cribs in the past few years alone.
This story was most recently updated by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn, a mom of two who covered the juvenile-product industry for two decades for American Baby and Parents. She has also worked on our guides to the best lightweight strollers, car seat and stroller combos and the best high chairs for babies.
Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
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