The Best Toddler Beds to Safely Transition Little Ones from Their Cribs

checked mark Fact-Checked by Erin Cavoto  | April 10, 2024
Best Toddler Beds - What to Expect

Quick Summary

The best toddler bed is the Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed, according to testers in the What to Expect community, because of its durability, simple design and affordable price.

As a mom of three, it felt like I blinked and it was already time for my little ones to graduate to a toddler bed. Unlike twin beds, toddler beds are generally lower to the ground, often have safety features like guard rails to keep them from rolling out, and fit a standard crib mattress. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) most kids should be moved to a toddler bed once they are 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 chest level). If you have a climber on your hands, you may need to switch even earlier than this — the AAP cites climbing out of the crib as one of the most common causes of falls.

It wasn’t until I started shopping around for my own toddlers that I realized there were so many options — both in price and design. There are floor beds, cribs that convert to toddler beds, bunk beds, and more. With all of the options out there, finding the best toddler bed for your child can feel overwhelming. To help save busy parents time, I’ve done the research and found the seven best toddler beds that span in style, value, and needs so every family can find their perfect fit. (And don't forget to pick up some adorable toddler bedding while you're at it!)

How We Chose the Best Toddler Beds

In order to narrow down the best toddler beds, I relied on my own experience buying toddler beds and also spoke with friends who currently have toddlers to see what brands and beds they use. To get an even greater consensus, I used feedback from parents in the What to Expect community who have tested toddler beds in their own homes.

I also took into consideration advice from three experts: Karen Sheehan, M.D., M.P.H., an attending physician of emergency medicine and medical director of Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; and Heather Turgeon, MFT, and Julie Wright, MFT, pediatric sleep coaches and founders of The Happy Sleepers. They all advised me on safe sleep practices for toddlers and safety features, like guardrails, to look out for.

I then cross-referenced each bed on my list with both the expert advice and safety standards recommended by the AAP and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). In fact, every bed on our list meets CPSC regulations and every pick has built-in guardrails to keep little ones extra safe.

Keep in mind that beyond guardrails and other protective features on a toddler bed, it’s important for parents to child-proof their kid’s bedroom now that they’ll be free to roam around. This includes bolting furniture to walls, childproofing light switches, window blinds and anything electric and generally clearing the room of anything dangerous, according to Wright and Turgeon.  For the best chance at restful sleep, they also recommend putting toys away before bedtime or storing them in another room.

Why Trust Us?

What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.

Best Toddler Bed Overall

Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed

Delta Children Canton Toddler Bed in gray
Buying Options
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy assembly
  • Multiple color options
Cons
  • Rails are on the short side

Maximum weight limit: 100 pounds

Weight: 25 pounds

Dimensions: 30 x 24.5 x 56.5 inches

Rails? Yes, fixed

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

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’s low to the ground and has two fixed rails to keep your little one right where they should be. Yet despite that, it’s under $100! Although 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 of bed on their own (which is 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 neutral and bright color options.

Community Reviews
  • “I have! It’s fantastic. Was thoroughly impressed.” 

Best Toddler Bed for Small Spaces

GapKids Toddler Bed

Best Toddler Kids: GapKids Toddler Bed
Buying Options
Pros
  • All wood construction
  • Modern aesthetic
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Low weight limit

Maximum weight limit: 50 pounds

Weight: 40 pounds

Dimensions: 29 x 53 x 23.5 inches

Rails? Yes, fixed

Why We Love It

For a bed with a smaller footprint, try this compact GapKids toddler bed. Rounded corners help protect little ones from falls and cuts, while built-in guardrails on the side keep them from rolling off the bed. Even if they did roll off, however, the bed is so low to the ground the impact would be minimal. We also love that it’s Greenguard Gold-certified ensuring the materials aren’t emitting harmful chemicals. The bed comes in navy, blush, and gray making it easy to blend into any bedroom decor.

Best Splurge Toddler Bed

Pottery Barn Kids Sydney Toddler Bed

Best Toddler Beds: Pottery Barn Kids Sydney Toddler Bed
Buying Options
pottery_barn_kids
pottery barn kids
$499
See Now Opens a new window
Pros
  • Modern aesthetic
  • Solid wood
  • Adjustable height
Cons
  • Expensive

Maximum weight limit: Bed should stop being used when child reaches 50 pounds.

Weight: 50 pounds

Dimensions: 54.25 x 28.5 x 29.75 inches

Rails? Yes, fixed

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

If aesthetic is just as important as quality, you may want to splurge on this gorgeous contemporary toddler bed from Pottery Barn Kids. Like everything the brand makes, this toddler bed is highly attractive with clean white lines and natural birch legs; it’s bound to look right in any room. The platform can be adjusted to two heights, so you can raise it as your child gets bigger and more comfortable getting in and out of bed on their own. 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.

Community Reviews
  • “Both my children have Pottery Barn furniture. It’s expensive but very well made.

Best Travel Toddler Bed

Shrunks Inflatable Toddler Bed

Best Toddler Beds: The Shrunks Inflatable Portable Toddler Bed
Buying Options
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Travel bag and pump included
  • Comfortable
  • No squeaky noises
Cons
  • Pump is loud
  • Pricey for occasional use

Maximum weight limit: 300 pounds

Weight: 6 pounds

Bed dimensions: 60 x 37 x 9 inches

Rails? Yes, fixed

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

As a family who travels a lot, the Shrunks Inflatable Toddler Bed has been invaluable to our trips: We’ve taken it to hotels, grandparents' houses, and even used it for the occasional sleepover. The inflatable bed and pump comes in a travel bag, and it blows up in just a few minutes. My toddler loves the velvety soft “mattress” part (although I usually toss a crib sheet over it), and the raised guardrails give me peace of mind that she won’t roll out onto the ground in the middle of the night. Deflating it is pretty simple, too, and it takes up very little room in the trunk (or even packed in carry-on luggage if needed.) We’ve owned it for three years and it’s still as good as new and ready to pass on to the next kid.

Community Reviews
  • “I love our Shrunks Toddler Travel Inflatable Air Mattress. It's on Amazon and it's perfect to travel with. My little loves it!

Best Toddler Bed with Storage

Bellemave Twin House Bed with Couch and Storage

Best Toddler Beds: Bellemave Twin Bed with House Frame
Buying Options
Pros
  • Adorable design
  • Low to the ground
  • Lots of storage
Cons
  • Takes up lots of floor space
  • Long assembly process

Maximum weight limit: Bed: 250 pounds, Couch: 220 pounds

Weight: 152 pounds

Dimensions: 81.5 x 78.1 x 66.9 inches

Rails? Yes, removeable

Why We Love It

This is the toddler bed of many little kids’ dreams. The whimsical house-style frame not only has a built-in faux window, it even has a small attached couch with shelving above to house favorite books, stuffed animals and other knick knacks. For additional storage, there are also two drawers tucked underneath the bed and the couch, which are perfect for stashing extra bedding or out-of-season clothing. Parents should note that this is a twin bed and will require a twin mattress, which just means extra space (and weight capacity) for bedtime snuggles. Despite being a twin bed, it still comes with built-in guardrails to protect little ones from any overnight falls. 

Best Toddler Floor Bed

Merax Twin Size Wooden House Bed with Fence

Merax Twin Floor Bed for Toddlers
Buying Options
Pros
  • Sturdy design
  • Fun for kids
  • Minimal aesthetic
Cons
  • Some found it hard to assemble

Maximum weight limit: 300 pounds

Bed weight: 64 pounds

Dimensions: 79.5 x 41.8 x 62.9 inches

Rails? Yes

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

A departure from other toddler beds, this cute house-shaped Montessori-style floor bedis so much fun for toddlers. Though it sits firmly on the ground, the 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. The slatted base of the bed keeps the mattress from sitting directly on the floor to allow air to flow and prevent mold from growing. And the built-in guardrail will help your little one feel comfortable and cozy at night, with an easy spot to get in and out of bed. The simple yet adorable design will look great in just about any space and is all but guaranteed to delight both kids and parents alike. Keep in mind that it only comes in twin or full sizes, so you’ll have to buy a new mattress rather than use your crib mattress for this bed.

Community Reviews
  • We got this full sized floor bed a month ago and I love it. I think it’s great quality for the price point and I like that it’s directly on the ground.

  • I have my Lo in this one- they have different styles too, more gated if you want! It’s good quality!” 

Best Wood Toddler Bed

Dream on Me Portland 3-in-1 Convertible Toddler Bed

Best Toddler Beds: Dream on Me Toddler Bed
Buying Options
Pros
  • Made of sustainable New Zealand pine
  • Transforms into furniture after kids outgrow it
Cons
  • Low weight limit

Maximum weight limit: 50 pounds

Weight: 27 pounds

Dimensions: 56 x 29 x 28 inches

Rails? Yes

Why We Love It

Talk about growing with your child: This wood toddler bed transforms into two kid chairs and a play table once your little one has outgrown it thanks to an optional conversion kit (sold separately), really increasing its lifespan. Several reviewers also noted that they appreciated the double guardrails and how low it was to the ground for their toddlers who constantly roll around at night. To make things even easier for parents, the JPMA-certified bed also has the option of ordering it with a Greenguard Gold-certified mattress so your shopping process is one-and-done.

Best Toddler Bunk Bed

Ikea Kura Bunk Bed

Best Toddler Beds: Ikea Kura Toddler Bunk Bed
Buying Options
Pros
  • Space-saving design
  • Full guardrail around upper bunk
  • Solid wood frame
  • Versatile
Cons
  • Complicated assembly

Maximum weight: 220 pounds

Weight: N/A

Dimensions: 78 3/8 x 41 3/8 x 45 5/8 inches

Rails? Yes, fixed

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

For families with two children who are closer in age, a toddler-appropriate bunk bed can be a major space saver. The Ikea Kura Bunk Bed has a much smaller footprint than a traditional bunk bed and isn’t as tall, and the bottom bunk is actually just a mattress on the floor within the frame so there’s no height drop to worry about. Additionally, the top bunk has a solid high guardrail around all the sides, not just a partial rail, to keep them extra safe. I actually owned this and used it for my kids who are a few years apart, and they stayed in it for nearly three years before we passed it along to someone else.

As an added bonus, the bed is reversible, meaning that once they’re older, it can be flipped to become a traditional single twin bed or used without the floor mattress to become a lofted bed. Assembly, as with many Ikea products, can be frustrating, so we’d recommend using the retailer’s Taskrabbit assembly option if possible. Parents should note that both the AAP and CPSC advise children under the age of six not sleep on the top bunk. So, your older child should sleep on the top bed and toddler on the bottom. They also recommend bunk beds be placed in the corner of the room, so there are walls on two sides for extra protection.

Community Reviews
  • Ikea Kura bunk bed!!! It's 299 and it flips! Works out well especially if you're planning a second close in age or lacking in extra bedrooms. It’s a much smaller version of a regular bunk bed and my 3-year-old uses top bunk.

  • “We have the IKEA Kura set up like a bunk bed with no issues.

  • We bought an Ikea Kura. It is possible to modify the bottom to add another mattress when you flip it if you decide you want that.

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. When shopping for a toddler bed, you’ll encounter a few different factors to consider before finding the best one for you and your child:

  • Weight limits: Many toddler beds state they can support up to 50 pounds, which isn’t that much when you consider longevity. Some have much higher weight limits which should increase how long you can use the bed, and make it safe to have an adult lay on the bed as well for reading before bed.
  • Guard rails: Child safety experts from the CPSC say a traditional or floor bed — twin or otherwise — is perfectly suitable and safe for a toddler, but if you think your child may roll off the bed, make sure to install a guard rail, says Dr. Sheehan. Not all toddler beds have rails, though some do come with fixed or removable rails. 
  • Quality: Kids this age are tough on all their things, so look for something made of durable material like wood and steel, since this will ensure the bed is nice and sturdy — especially if you plan on using it through multiple kids. 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 regulations. 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.)

FAQs

A toddler bed is not a necessity and many parents opt to go straight to a twin or full-size bed instead. However, beds made specifically for toddlers, with their smaller profiles and protective safety features like guardrails, may help ease the transition out of the crib for many little ones.

The AAP suggests moving your child to a big kid bed once they are about 35 inches tall, or when the height of the crib’s side rail is less than three-quarters of their height. Unless there’s a safety concern (like they’re climbing out of the crib), most experts suggest waiting until they’re older to make the big change. “Our mantra is to wait as long as possible before transitioning your child to a toddler bed, ideally around age three,” says Wright and Turgeon. “The older they are, the better able they are to self-regulate and less likely to pop out of bed and their room multiple times.”

The great thing about toddler beds is they all fit a standard crib mattress, so for most parents, there should be no need to buy a new mattress. A standard crib mattress is 28 inches x 52 inches.