By Alicia Betz,Forbes Staff,Real Parents
Copyright forbes
Finding the right crib for your nursery isn’t just about aesthetics—though that’s certainly important when you’re designing a beautiful nursery. You also want something safe and well-built that you can feel good about putting your baby in every night. To find the best cribs, I combined in-depth product research with parent interviews to understand how each one performs—especially how they adapt to different needs and what unique features they offer. My top pick, the Babyletto Hudson 3-In-1 Convertible Crib, features a classic design, is Greenguard Gold certified and will last well beyond the baby years.
Our pick for the best crib is the Babyletto Hudson—it’s sturdy, stylish and safe.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Each crib on our list comes recommended by real parents, including an Olympic gold medalist, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and the moms on our Forbes team. Another top pick is the Nestig The Cloud Crib thanks to its ability to convert from a mini crib to a full-size crib. Learn more about the best cribs, all backed by real parent experience.
Our Top Recommendations
Best Crib Overall: Babyletto Hudson 3-In-1 Convertible Crib
Best Value Crib: Delta Children Emery 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
Best Splurge Crib: Oeuf Sparrow Crib
Best Crib For Newborn: Nestig The Cloud Crib
Best Convertible Crib: Babyletto Peggy 3-In-1 Convertible Crib
Best Greenguard Gold Certified Crib: West Elm Scalloped Convertible Crib
Best Low-Profile Crib: Storkcraft Beckett Grow-With-Me Convertible Crib
Best Crib Overall
Visually Appealing, Well-Constructed And Versatile
Babyletto Hudson 3-In-1 Convertible Crib
Materials: New Zealand pine wood | Dimensions: 53.8 x 29.8 x 35 inches | Weight capacity: 50 pounds | Convertible: Yes
With a sleek, modern design, the Babyletto Hudson is a favorite among parents. The 3-in-1 crib can convert to a toddler bed, and it’s available in a wide range of unique colors like olive and cove blue, to perfectly match your baby’s nursery. Many parents also like that the crib is Greenguard Gold certified, so they can rest assured knowing it helps contribute to cleaner air in their baby’s room.
“It looks great in person aesthetically, and it is really well built,” says Jennie Albano, founder of Feeding Friendzies. She also praised the crib for its durability, noting that she’s been using it for four years and in its current daybed configuration, it’s still comfortable and safe for her daughter. When it’s time to transition your child from the crib to a toddler bed, the Hudson comes with a conversion kit, removing the need for an additional purchase. “I could not recommend it more highly to other parents looking for a stylish and high-quality crib with true lasting power,” says Albano.
Best Value Crib
Converts To A Full Size Bed For Maximum Versatility
Delta Children Emery 4-In-1 Convertible Crib
Materials: New Zealand pine wood | Dimensions: 55.5 x 30.3 x 43.5 inches | Weight capacity: 50 pounds | Convertible: Yes
The Delta Children Emery is the crib that I used with all three of my kids, and it remained solid and reliable through over five years of use. I originally picked it for its style and versatility—it’s a 4-in-1 option that goes from crib to toddler bed to daybed to full bed. I loved the way the classic design looked in my babies’ nurseries, and it fit in well with each nursery as I passed it down from one baby to the next. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, and I have never noticed any off-gassing smells coming from the crib.
My husband found the crib relatively easy to put together but, as with most cribs, it does take a good amount of time to assemble. While you can convert it to a toddler bed without a conversion kit, you do need to purchase a toddler rail separately (check out our list of the best toddler bed rails). The crib is available in white, grey or black.
Best Splurge Crib
Heirloom Quality With A Natural Wood Look
Oeuf Sparrow Crib
Materials: Birch hardwood | Dimensions: 54 x 29.5 x 36 inches | Weight capacity: No official weight capacity | Convertible: Yes
The Oeuf Sparrow Crib is a sleek, high-end choice with heirloom quality—built to be passed down from one baby to the next. Available in birch or white, it’s especially loved for the birch finish, which offers a clean, natural look without any paint. In addition to the crib being Greenguard Gold certified, all of the finishes are non-toxic and water-based.
Andrea Faulkner Williams, cofounder and “head mama” at Tubby Todd Bath, used an Oeuf crib with her fourth baby after trying a more budget-friendly crib with her first three, saying the new crib “made our nursery feel like a dream.” The crib also converts to a toddler bed, though you’ll need to purchase a separate conversion kit.
Best Crib For Newborn
Converts From A Mini Crib To A Full-Size Crib
Nestig The Cloud Crib
Materials: Brazilian Pine, steel | Dimensions: 30.3 x 22 x 31 inches (mini crib); 54 x 30.25 x 36 inches (full size crib) | Weight capacity: 50 pounds | Convertible: Yes
All of the cribs on our list are safe for newborns, but sometimes parents prefer something smaller for their tiny baby—especially when space is limited. Nestig’s Cloud Crib stands out for its unique design—it transitions from a mini crib to a full-size crib, and eventually to a toddler bed. That makes it perfect for fitting into your bedroom as a mini crib early on, then transitioning to the nursery when your baby’s ready. It comes with wheels and standard legs, making it easy to move around in mini crib mode.
Available in three color options, all of which feature two-tone contrasting colors, the crib is strikingly beautiful. It’s Greenguard Gold certified and comes with the mini crib mattress and a conversion kit for toddler and full-size beds. “We’ve used the Nestig Cloud crib with all three of our kids,” says Poppylist cofounder and CTO Tamiz Ahmed (read more of his nursery recommendations here). “It’s thoughtfully designed, built to last and strikes that rare balance of beautiful and functional.”
Best Convertible Crib
Toddler Bed Conversion Kit Included
Babyletto Peggy 3-In-1 Convertible Crib
Materials: New Zealand pine wood, acacia veneered engineered wood | Dimensions: 54.3 x 31.8 x 36.5 inches | Weight capacity: 50 pounds | Convertible: Yes
When you’re looking for a convertible crib, finding one that includes a conversion kit as part of your initial purchase is ideal. The Babyletto Peggy Convertible Crib transforms from crib to toddler bed to full-size bed—toddler conversion kit included. Available in natural walnut, taupe, or honey, it features a chic, natural, mid-century modern look. It’s Greenguard Gold certified, and parents appreciate how easy it is to lower the crib as their baby grows.
“This is our baby’s crib right now and I love it so much,” says Olympic gold medalist and current contestant on Fox’s Special Forces Shawn Johnson East. She praises the crib for being reliable, durable, safe and cute.
Best Greenguard Gold Certified Crib
Made From FSC Certified Solid Oak
West Elm Scalloped Convertible Crib
Materials: Solid oak | Dimensions: 55 x 31 x 38 inches | Weight capacity: 150 pounds | Convertible: Yes
Not only is the West Elm Scalloped Convertible Crib Greenguard Gold certified, it’s also made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and finished with a child-safe water-based finish. The premium crib is available in soft chalk or toasted oak, both of which have a natural look, and the scalloped ends add a unique and beautiful touch. While the crib can convert to a toddler bed, you’ll need to purchase the conversion kit separately.
The crib is a favorite of Cara Dumaplin, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and founder of Taking Cara Babies, who used this crib to create a grandbaby nursery in her home. “I wanted something beautiful, timeless and gender-neutral, but also practical enough to last for many grandbabies to come,” says Dumaplin. She likes that the crib is sturdy and made from real oak while still being light enough that she can move it around if needed. “This West Elm Scalloped Convertible Crib checked every box and it truly feels like an heirloom piece we’ll enjoy for years to come,” she says.
Best Low-Profile Crib
No Room For Baby To Crawl Under And Easy For Parents To Reach
Storkcraft Beckett Grow-With-Me Convertible Crib
Materials: Pine wood | Dimensions: 53.7 x 34 x 29.5 inches | Weight capacity: 50 pounds | Convertible: Yes
With its sleek, contemporary design and eight versatile color options, the Storkcraft Beckett Grow-With-Me Convertible Crib fits beautifully into any nursery setup. Parents especially appreciate the natural look of the wood and how low the crib sits, blending style and practicality. “I was really focusing on finding a crib that a baby couldn’t crawl under, so I liked that this is very low to the floor,” says Jennifer Bruno, vice president of business strategy at Forbes Vetted.
The Greenguard Gold certified crib can convert to a toddler bed, but the toddler rail is sold separately. For parents looking for versatility in mattress heights, the Beckett has four mattress heights (most cribs only have three). If you’re shorter and want to delay moving the mattress to the lowest position for as long as possible, this might buy you some time.
RECOMMENDED BY FORBES VETTED
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear team has decades of combined experience raising kids, testing products and reporting on parenting topics. We take our job to recommend the right products for you and your family very seriously. We frequently test and report on baby items, including the best crib mattresses and the best toddler beds.
The author of this article, Alicia Betz, is a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist and product tester. She used one of the cribs on our list, and she frequently interviews pediatricians and safety experts to stay up to date on crib safety and safe sleep for babies.
The editor of this article, Esther Carlstone, is a mom of three and an experienced parenting journalist and editor.
I interviewed Julia Reading, a pediatrician at San Pedro Pediatrics in San Pedro, California to get her thoughts on features to look for in cribs.
I interviewed successful parents about their experiences with each crib on our list to back each one with a first-hand recommendation.
How We Chose The Best Cribs
All cribs should meet basic safety standards and should be safe for infant sleep. Here’s a peek into my selection process.
I ensured each crib meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards.
I considered the recommendations of real parents who have used each crib.
I compared the specs and features of each crib and included models with different prices and styles. When narrowing down the list, I considered quality, durability and versatility.
I read online reviews to further gain insight into parents’ experiences with each crib.
What To Look For In The Best Cribs
Safety is always the number one priority when choosing a crib. Look for cribs that allow for the mattress to lie flat and that will not create a gap between the mattress and the crib. “Slats should be no more than 2⅜ inches apart and end panels should be solid without holes or cut outs. Corner posts should be flush with the end panels or very, very tall so that clothing cannot catch on the end posts,” says Reading.
All cribs should meet federal safety standards as outlined by the CPSC. Additionally, many cribs are further verified for safety by the Baby Safety Alliance (formerly JPMA). Look for these seals when shopping for a crib.
Once you have your crib assembled, check to make sure it’s sturdy. “Ensure your crib has no loose hardware, rough or splintering wood or chipping paint,” says Reading. When it comes to putting your baby in their crib to sleep, always place them on their back on a firm mattress with a tightly fitting sheet. Do not include any pillows, crib bumpers, blankets or other comfort items. This helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Versatility And Features
Many cribs can convert to a toddler bed, a daybed or a full-size bed. Others have built-in storage or changing tables. Consider whether you want any of these features as you narrow down your list of potential cribs.
Some cribs that can convert to a toddler bed include a conversion kit while others are sold separately. If yours is sold separately, consider purchasing the conversion kit at the same time as your crib since models can change or be discontinued and the conversion kit may not be available in a year or two when your baby is ready to transition.
All cribs should fit a standard sized crib mattress. However, the exterior dimensions of a crib can vary. Make sure the crib can fit in your space, away from any hazards like cords, window blinds, heating vents or any other item that could harm your baby.
If you’re tight on space, a mini crib can save room. This can also be a nice option for newborns who are room sharing. Just keep in mind your baby will outgrow a mini crib faster than a full-size crib.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The highest rated cribs on our list are the Nestig The Cloud Crib, the Babyletto Hudson and the Delta Children Emery.
All cribs sold in the U.S. meet federal safety standards, so an expensive crib isn’t safer than a less expensive crib. However, a more expensive crib will likely last longer if you’re planning on passing the crib down from one child to the next. Pricier cribs are also often made of cleaner materials and feature sought-after designs.
Avoid drop-down rails, cribs that place the mattress at an incline, cribs that don’t snugly fit a standard mattress, used cribs and cribs sold before 2011. According to Reading, cribs sold before 2011 may not be up to date with current safety standards.
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