The 8 Best Convertible Cribs of 2023 | by Verywell Family

When it comes to finding the right convertible crib, Dr. Aubrie DeBear, PsyD. , Child Sleep Consultant & Expert for Tommee Tippee’s Spill The Milk Series , suggests choosing an option that your baby can stay in for a while. “I always encourage parents to try to stick with the crib for as long as possible, especially if the child doesn’t have a problem with it,” Dr. DeBear tells Verywell Family. “Sometimes parents get excited to move their baby out of the crib and doing so too early can sometimes lead to issues.” We carefully looked over age, height, weight recommendations, crib safety, design, value, and material when reviewing products.

Safety is of the utmost importance when selecting a crib for your baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the bars of your baby’s crib should be 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid the possibility of injury. While dropside cribs have been banned and taken off the market as per the Consumer Product Safety Commission in 2011, this crib style may still be circulating via secondhand sellers and should be avoided due to the suffocation and strangulation hazard.

A safe place to sleep is crucial for babies. Plus, their crib is basically the centerpiece of their nursery, and finding the right one is sometimes tricky. Since cribs can be an investment, it’s important to look beyond aesthetics and consider safety, functionality, and longevity when making your pick. Convertible cribs, which can be turned into toddler beds and, in some cases, full-size beds, are a clever solution that will grow with your little one over the years. They make a worthwhile addition to a baby registry .

This crib has more than six color options including the classics like white, grey, and espresso, as well as “aqua sky” and “royal blue.” When it’s set up as a crib, it has four mattress height settings so that it can slowly grow with your child. Once your child is big enough, you can convert this crib into a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler day bed, and a full-size bed with conversion kits.

With this crib, you also get a changing table with three drawers that can be detached and used as a nightstand later when your child is older. The piece is made from sturdy pine wood with a non-toxic finish in either white, grey, or black. With conversion kits, this crib can also be set up as a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler day bed, and ultimately a full-size bed, giving it several years of longevity.

Available in three colors, this crib offers three mattress heights before converting into a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler day bed, and a full-size bed. It’s made from durable wood and covered with a non-toxic finish. In addition to its sturdy construction, it also has a classic design that will look great in your child’s room when they’re an infant as well as once they become teens.

Families that travel with babies will benefit from this small, lightweight crib that has two mattress heights so it can be set up as a portable bed or a playpen. It’s made from solid pine and has lockable wheels on the bottom, so you can easily move it to where you need it to be in the house. When it’s not in use, the crib folds flat for easy storage and transport. The best part? The mattress is included.

When it’s set up as a crib, it has four different mattress heights so that you can slowly lower your baby as it gets bigger. Finally, while this crib is on the pricier end, the toddler bed conversion kits are included in the purchase.

This crib is modern, sleek, and available in several neutral colors, including white, grey, black, and more. It is made from New Zealand pine wood and covered in a safe, non-toxic stain, and converts from a crib to a toddler bed with railing to a toddler day bed.

This crib is available in white or acorn, both of which are absolutely gorgeous. When it’s set up as a crib, it has two mattress height options so that you can keep your baby safe as it grows. When it’s time for your baby to move to a toddler bed, you can purchase the crib’s conversion kit to turn it into a toddler bed with rails. You also have the option of purchasing this crib with one of two mattresses and having the crib delivered and assembled, or you can assemble it yourself.

When it is set up as a crib, there are three different mattress height settings, so you can lower it down as your baby grows and is able to pull up. The crib also converts into a toddler bed with a railing, a toddler day bed, and a full-size bed.

For a budget-friendly crib that will last your child through high school (and maybe beyond), this Graco 4-in-1 design is an excellent choice. It’s made of wood with a non-toxic finish in several color options including white, gray, espresso, and driftwood.

It’s made from durable New Zealand pine wood with a non-toxic paint finish, making it safe for when your baby begins teething. Probably the best part of all is that given how long a child can use this bed, it is extremely affordable.

The DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib tops our list because you’ll be able to use it for years to come thanks to several conversion options. This convertible crib is available in several different finish/color options and includes four conversions: standard crib (two mattress heights), toddler bed with rail, toddler day bed, and a full-size bed.

How We Selected Convertible Cribs

To pick the best convertible cribs on the market, we considered advice from pediatric sleep consultant Aubrie DeBear, PsyD, about how to select a safe convertible crib for your child. We also consulted user reviews and ratings on dozens of convertible cribs. When making our selections, we took into account safety, conversion options, materials, durability, design, and functionality.

What to Look for When Buying a Convertible Crib

Safety

As with all baby products, safety is the first thing to look for when purchasing a crib for your baby. For the safest sleep environment, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says parents should look for a crib with bars spaced no more than 2.37 inches apart with more than 26 inches of bar space above the crib mattress when it’s sitting at its highest point and free of any decorative carvings or cut-outs that could be hazardous to a curious baby.

If the crib converts into a toddler bed, Dr. DeBear tells Verywell Family it should sit low to the ground “to prevent an injury if [the child] happens to fall out.” If the crib can convert into a toddler bed with a rail, which many of them do, Dr. DeBear says that is even better for injury prevention. 

Conversion Options

Convertible cribs are very popular, but not all of them offer the same conversion options. Consider which conversions will work best for your family. If you plan to have young kids close together, then you may just need a crib with multiple mattress height options, or if this is your last child then a 4-in-1 may be ideal so that it’s the only bed you’ll need to buy for them. 

While convertible cribs are convenient, they may cost you a little extra upfront, depending on the type or brand you choose, and any additional pieces that are needed. Typically, not all conversion kits are sold with a crib and must be purchased individually. Overall, a convertible crib may save you money over time, but you will have to pay extra for conversion kits that are sold separately.

Materials and Durability

Since your baby will inevitably start chewing on the crib’s railing, make sure you’re getting one made of materials that are free of toxins. Also, look for a crib with high-quality paint or stain that won’t chip over time so that you can get as much use out of the bed as possible.

Finally, the crib should be securely assembled without wiggling or making a lot of noise when your child moves around in it. It’s possible that your baby will climb out of their crib at some point, so you want the crib to be durable, strong, and one you can reuse if needed down the road.

Design and Functionality

In addition to conversion options, you also want to consider the crib’s overall design. If it’s made to grow with your child, is the design trendy or something timeless that will still look good a decade from now? Does the design work for your lifestyle and/or the nursery that you’ve set up? Do you want one with wheels so that you can move it around easily?

While the crib’s overall look is the most fun thing to consider, you also want to be sure its design meets all of your needs. If you have a small room to work with, you’ll want a crib that fits in the space without it being too big.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between a regular crib and a convertible crib?

  A standard crib is designed to be just that—a crib. Typically, standard cribs allow you to raise the mattress up for younger babies and set it lower once the baby is old enough to pull up on the railing. Besides having the option to raise or lower the mattress, regular cribs do not offer any other conversions. In addition to the regular crib features, a convertible crib also allows parents the option to take off the front panel and turn the crib into a toddler bed. Some convertible cribs also come with attachments (or they’re sold separately) that allow you to add a small rail to the toddler bed to keep your child from rolling out of bed and/or parts to convert the crib into a standard full-size bed frame.

• When should I convert the crib to a toddler bed?

  There is no specific age when a child is ready to transition into a toddler bed. It usually has to do with their development and/or their size. Dr. DeBear says parents should consider “whether your child is safer in or out of the crib” before making the move. “Is your child climbing out of the crib? It’s probably time to move them. Is your child developmentally ready to understand the concept of staying in their bed? If not, it’s probably best to keep them in the crib,” she says. 

  However, your child’s size also plays a role in this decision. The AAP suggests parents move their child to another bed once they reach 35 inches tall or once the height of the crib’s railing measures about 0.75 of your child’s height, which is usually about nipple level. If you do not feel like your child is developmentally ready for a toddler bed at that point, you should discuss alternatives with your pediatrician. 

• What can you expect to pay for a convertible crib?

  Generally, you can expect to pay between $150 and $700 for a high-quality convertible crib. Cheaper cribs may not come with a mattress or conversion kit, while more expensive ones might have extra bells and whistles that your little one doesn’t need. The cheapest option on our list, Dream on Me’s Lightweight Folding Portable Mini Crib, usually retails for under $130, while our most expensive pick, Pottery Barn West Elm x pbk’s Mid-Century Convertible Crib, was $699 when we last updated this list.

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, including convertible cribs. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include expert advice, age appropriateness, and user reviews.