The Best Baby Cribs for Your Little One's Nursery

The Delta Children Essex 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is a 2024 winner from the What to Expect Sleep Awards for a reason.With its stylish midcentury modern look (there are three color options, each with contrasting angled legs) this crib looks great in any nursery. But it’s also amazingly functional: It has three adjustable mattress heights and four different configurations to last years and years. 

When your baby outgrows crib mode, you can remove one side and add a toddler guardrail (which is sold separately) to transform the crib into a toddler bed. After that, the guardrail can come off to create a space-saving daybed you can use for your child's naps or a comfortable sofa. Considering the crib is only $200 — making it one of the more affordable convertible options on the market — this is an amazing value.

Parents say this crib feels sturdy and well-made, and also appreciate how easy it is to assemble and switch between heights. Also good: You also have the option to purchase the crib and mattress together as a bundle, which many families appreciate. And at 34 inches high, this is relatively low for a convertible crib and a great option for shorter parents.

Mini cribs can be a good option for families living in a smaller space who still want the look and feel of a regular crib. But with their streamlined footprint, babies tend to outgrow mini cribs more quickly. Enter the Babyletto Lolly 4-in-1: This is a mini crib that can convert to a toddler bed and eventually a daybed, much like many of its full-sized counterparts (this one comes with the toddler conversion kit, though the full-size kit is sold separately). Made of New Zealand pine wood with gently curved corners, it’s stylish and Greenguard Gold-certified, too.

We used this crib until my younger son was about 1 year old. We lived in a small two-bedroom apartment and were room-sharing with my younger son throughout his first year (while his brother slept in the second bedroom), so a mini crib felt like a good investment: We wanted a more permanent option than a travel crib or playard, but also didn’t have space in our bedroom for a full-size crib. And the Babyletto Lolly really delivered: It looked nice in our space, felt solid and well-made, and my son was able to sleep comfortably in it for longer than I expected.

"This crib truly is high quality and has stood the test of time," says Robin Hilmantel, Editorial Director, Special Projects. "I also found it pretty easy to raise/lower the mattress as needed and change it from crib to toddler bed and back."

At $300, this is on the expensive end for a mini crib. But because it’s a 4-in-1 model, many parents find the price to still be worth it. If you’d prefer a mini crib with wheels, though, you might opt for the brand’s Origami crib. And if you like the look of this crib but don’t need a mini, you’ll be happy to hear that Babyletto also makes a full-sized Lolly.

Getting baby in and out of her crib — especially when she’s bigger and heavier and the mattress is on one of the lower levels — can be a real challenge for shorter parents, as well as for new moms recovering from a C-section in the early days.A crib with a lower height that still meets the CPSC’s safety standards can help make things more comfortable.

Along with the Nestig Wave, IKEA Singular and Delta Children Essex, all of which also have relatively lower heights, Storkcraft Hillcrest is a solid option for shorter parents.It’s just 34 inches high, one of the lowest options on the market and especially low for a 4-in-1 crib.

Height aside, though, the Storkcraft Hillcrest is a great crib. While it may not look or feel quite as high-end as some pricier options, it competes with more expensive cribs in terms of features. There are three adjustable heights and it can be converted to a toddler bed, daybed and eventually a full-sized bed. (The toddler guardrails and full-size bed conversion kit are both sold separately.) It’s also easy to assemble and switch mattress levels, parents say.

While most playards make great travel cribs, few are quite as travel-friendly as the Guava Lotus. For one, it’s a few pounds lighter than most other playards and travel cribs, which means it’s easier to take with you on the go. It can also fold up into a compact backpack, making it a breeze to take on a plane or road trip. And families say it’s easier to set up and pack away than many other options.

Another nice feature is the lockable side zipper, which offers an additional option for getting baby in and out. And while it’s a perfect travel crib, many families say it’s so well-made and comfortable that their child actually uses it as a full-time crib.

"It was so convenient to travel with since it folds into a backpack," says Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director of Brand Solutions. "The bassinet attachment also worked really well for us. It adds a rounded bottom so it can be rocked slightly."

"I also have the Guava Lotus for travel and LOVE IT," says Kate Monahan, Senior Manager with Data Operations. "It's worth the price: Easy to set up and take down and easy to travel with."

What to Expect parents also appreciate GreenGuard Gold certified, which means the materials have met strict chemical and VOC emissions standards, and there’s no weight limit. Just keep in mind that because the mattress rests directly on the floor (this helps make the crib so lightweight), some taller parents find it difficult to bend down. 

Weight/Height Limit: There’s no upper weight limit, but you should stop using it when your child is 35 inches tall or starts to climb out.

Product Weight: 15 lbs.

Product Dimensions: 45.5 x 31.5 x 25.5 inches

Mattress Levels: 1

Configurations: 1

Although you'll pay more for the Babyletto Hudson convertible crib, you’ll also get more. The crib can transform into both a toddler bed and a daybed, and the mattress height has four adjustable positions. Keep the mattress elevated when your baby is small, so you don’t have to lean too far into the crib to pick her up. You can move it lower once she starts to stand and attempts to climb out when your back is turned.

We have used this crib with two kids, and it’s held up beautifully during that time. It’s been with us in two homes (including an overseas journey) and remains in great condition, with no chipped paint and minimal wear and tear. It’s easy to adjust the mattress height, and I love that it can be used for so many years. My older son used it until he turned 3, and his little brother sleeps in it now. We’ll eventually convert it into a toddler bed for my youngest, meaning it will very likely be in our family for six or more years, making it a great investment.

It’s also Greenguard Gold certified to keep indoor chemical emissions to a minimum, and is available in a number of finishes, from plain white (pictured) to natural wood to espresso.

Christine Mattheis, Group VP, Content & Brand Solutions, is also a fan of this crib. "I liked that it was certified Greenguard Gold and that it could later be converted into a toddler bed," she shares. "We never had any problems with the crib. As my daughter grew, it was not difficult to lower the mattress down, and it only took a few minutes to convert it into a toddler bed when the time came." 

Before you start dreading putting this crib together — with IKEA’s signature screws and Allen wrenches — you should consider that it comes with an IKEA price tag, too. It’s one of the most budget-friendly cribs available and doesn’t sacrifice its durability to save you money. 

The uncomplicated design blends seamlessly with any décor you pair it with and the simple functionality means less work for you. Just remove the front side to convert it to a toddler bed and use a standard crib mattress (IKEA recommends using one of its mattresses). You can also adjust the height level to two different positions depending on what you need and how old your little one is. As with most other convertible models, the upper weight limit is 50 pounds for the toddler bed, so your child will be able to use it for many years.

As a nice bonus, this also has a lower height than many other cribs on the market, which makes it a good option for shorter parents. 

If this stylish crib proves anything, it’s that sometimes playing it “safe” by choosing a simple wood finish is the best way to go. Despite its natural appearance, this crib is anything but basic. The sleek lines make it ultra-eye catching, and the function is top-notch, with three adjustable height positions. What to Expect parents rave about how beautiful this crib is and how easy it is to assemble.

The Nestig Wave Crib is a great choice for apartment dwellers planning to move to a larger space within baby’s first year, as it converts from a mini crib, to a full crib, to a toddler bed, leaving your options wide open and ensuring baby fits comfortably well beyond those first six months or so. Other features we love: There are three adjustable mattress heights, optional wheels for the mini crib and full crib sizes, and it’s made with gorgeous eco-friendly wood.

The one downside of this crib is how expensive it is — at $750, it’s the priciest option on our list, and you need to shell out another $129 for the mini crib mattress if you’d like to use it in that size. On the plus side, though, it comes with an 18-year warranty, so you can rest assured that your purchase is protected for the long haul.

It’s no secret that babies come with a lot of stuff, and if you lack the closet space, you’re going to need to get creative. A crib with built-in storage is a great solution, since it ups your capacity and keeps everything you need close at hand.

Although it’s a bit bigger and bulkier than many other cribs on this list, the Graco Remi is an excellent option for families seeking this extra storage. There’s both a full-size under-crib drawer (perfect for storing bed linens like crib sheets and sleep sacks) and an attached changing table with three drawers.

In addition to built-in storage, this full-size crib offers plenty of room for baby, even through the toddler years. Later, the crib can convert to a daybed, toddler bed and even a full-size bed (conversion kit sold separately). There are three adjustable mattress heights, too. 

At $500, this is one of the pricier cribs on our list (though it can often be found on sale). But either way, you’ll absolutely be saving money compared to purchasing a crib and changing table separately. The changing table even comes with a water-resistant changing pad, which you often have to pay extra for in many models.