The Best Baby Cribs 2023: Tried and Tested

The good news is, all cribs sold today are required to meet strict safety standards so unless your mom is trying to guilt you into using your old drop-down crib from the 80s (hard pass), you should be good to go. There are definitely lots of nice-to-haves and lifestyle considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best baby cribs for your family though. Below, we break it down:

• Structure and Safety: According to Abby Ludwig, Head of Parent Education at Gugu Guru (she’s worked with celebs like Mandy Moore to curate baby registries), the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a crib is structure. “You’re looking for simplicity, sturdiness and something that is modern as it relates to today’s standards,” she says. The CPSC recommends looking for cribs with slat spacing no more than 2-3/8 inches, no corner posts over 1/16th inch high and no cutouts in the headboard or footboard. Your baby’s mattress should be firm and tight-fitting, and there should be no loose, broken or improperly installed hardware. 
• Size: When selecting a crib, you definitely want to consider what room it’s going in, advises Ludwig. If you’re looking for something that will work in your walk-in closet, a mini crib might be the way to go. If space is a non-issue, a standard-size crib may suit your needs better.
• Versatility: This is a big one! “When choosing a crib, parents will want to consider the purpose it will serve for their family,” says DONA Certified Postpartum Doula and Founder of New Parents Academy, Valerie Trumbower. “If the intention is that this will be a piece of furniture that grows with the child, you'll want to choose a convertible option that turns into a full or queen bed.” On the other hand, if you’ll be passing down the crib to future babies, it's helpful to stay gender neutral and consider your design aesthetic, she adds.
• Style: Many parents choose to design their entire nurseries around the crib (because obvi). While safety certainly comes first, a fashion-forward crib with a great design—that ideally matches the style of the rest of your house—is important to consider.
• Features: While there are cribs that will actually rock your baby to sleep now (crazy, right?), one key feature to factor into your decision is if the crib has an adjustable mattress height to grow with your child, says Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant Molly Leighton, owner of Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting. She also likes cribs that have one taller side. “This can help if your toddler starts to try and climb out of the crib. Just turn it so the taller side faces out.”

The best baby cribs 2023

• Best overall: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
• Best budget: Dream On Me Bellport 4 in 1 Convertible Mini/Portable Crib
• Best luxury: Oeuf Sparrow Crib
• Best portable: Guava Lotus Travel Crib
• Best design: Delta Children Abby Convertible Crib and Changer
• Best convertible: Storkcraft Convertible Crib
• Best trendy: Delta Children Sloane 4-in-1 Acrylic Convertible Crib
• Best for multiples and twins: Stokke Sleepi Mini Bundle

Best overall

Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

This eco-conscious, Amazon-fave Babyletto crib earns the top spot on our list, thanks to over two thousand rave reviews by real parents and a premium 4.8-star rating. It’s made of solid, sustainably-sourced New Zealand pine wood and features four adjustable mattress heights, which your back will certainly thank you for. It's one of the sharpest-looking modern cribs and instantly turns ho-hum nurseries into magazine-worthy displays.

Perhaps best of all, it comes with the toddler conversion kit so that’s one less thing you have to purchase when it’s time to transition to a big kid bed. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified so you can sleep soundly knowing your little one isn’t breathing in any toxic chemicals. Reviewers love that it’s easy to put together, very well made and the modern, mid-century design looks gorgeous in the nursery.

Pros

• Converts to a toddler and daybed (conversion kit included)
• 4 adjustable mattress height positions
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• Sustainably made
• Clean, modern design
• Easy to assemble

Cons

• Only available in natural woods and neutral colors

Dream On Me Bellport 4 in 1 Convertible Mini/Portable Crib

Babies are expensive so if you can find a crib that’s as easy on the eyes as it is your bank account, you’ve basically won the baby gear lottery. This dreamy Bellport 4–in-1 convertible crib is our favorite affordable option and scores major points for its ability to grow with your child—from the newborn stage as a mini crib, well into the big kid years when it turns into a twin-size or daybed. 

It’s great if your babe’s nursery is on the smaller side, you’re room sharing or moving the little one in with a big sibling. It also comes with a mattress pad to protect their actual crib mattress—you know, when the inevitable middle-of-the-night diaper blowout happens. One taller side means more longevity too, once your toddler starts trying to climb out, which they will.

There are three different mattress height settings to choose from, and the entire crib is made of durable, sustainable and renewable New Zealand pinewood. Plus, there’s a modern color to suit every aesthetic and nursery theme.

Pros

• Super affordable
• Three-height mattress settings
• Grows with them, from mini crib all the way to twin bed
• Compact footprint 
• Non-toxic, child-safe, water-based finishes
• Several color options
• Comes with a mattress pad

Cons

• Some reviewers note not loving the exterior finish

Oeuf Sparrow Crib

Worth the price tag! Oeuf is a go-to amongst interior designers, who love the simplicity, clean lines and sustainability of the cult-fave furniture (and kidswear) brand—that undoubtedly makes a nursery. The Sparrow Crib spares no expense when it comes to design, constructed of solid birch and Baltic birch plywood and sustainably made in Europe to last generations (or just to pass down to multiple kiddos).

It’s GREENGUARD gold certified so you know your little one is breathing the best air and also uses non-toxic, water-based finishes. Its low profile footprint makes it a great space saver in the nursery too. Sparrow features three adjustable mattress height positions, but you will need to purchase the toddler conversion kit if you want to turn it into a big kid bed down the road.

Pros

• Super high quality/designed to last forever
• GREENGUARD gold certified
• Sustainably made
• Non-toxic, water-based finishes
• Three adjustable mattress height positions

Cons

• Toddler conversion kit must be purchased separately
• Expensive

Guava Lotus Travel Crib

The traveling sleep solution you’ve been looking for, whether you’re headed across town to grandma’s or catching a cross-country flight. The Lotus is one of the best baby cribs for portability. It's super lightweight, weighing in at only 15 pounds, and folds up compact to fit in a backpack for hassle-free carrying at the airport and beyond.

Set up takes 15 seconds or less, which is clutch when you’re dealing with a cranky, overtired baby coming off a long day of travel. Quick setup also got it a top spot on our list of the best travel cribs.

When baby’s not snoozing, the Lotus doubles as the perfect play yard so you can contain them in a safe space while you shower or open the side zipper door and let them explore. Just make sure you're using a comfortable and easy-to-clean fitted sheet.

The Lotus features breathable mesh sides so you can always see baby and is the only GREENGUARD Gold Certified travel crib on the market, earning it loads of bonus points. Over 2K positive reviews and an average 4.8 (out of 5) star rating speaks for itself.

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Easy setup and breakdown
• Folds into a convenient backpack carrying case
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• Doubles as a play yard
• No weight limit

Cons

• Can’t use it once your toddler starts climbing out

Delta Children Abby Convertible Crib and Changer

A game changer, literally. This quality, Delta convertible crib comes with a super convenient changing station, including a changing pad with a safety strap attached, plus plenty of storage space for stashing diapers, wipes, burp cloths and all the baby essentials—all within arm’s reach.

Parents will that it’s built for the long run too, turning into a toddler bed, daybed and even a full-size bed that feels timeless and doesn’t look childish whatsoever. It's one of the most practical cribs for babies and a cinch to assemble. 

Pros

• Non-toxic and sustainably made
• Daybed rail included
• Three adjustable mattress height positions
• Comes with built-in changing stations and changing pad
• Offers plenty of storage space for baby essentials
• Converts to a toddler bed, daybed and full-size bed

Cons

• Toddler guardrail and full-size bed frame not included

Storkcraft Pacific Convertible Crib

For the price, you really can’t beat the quality and versatility of this classic 4-in-1 convertible crib from the award-winning brand Storkcraft. It’s designed to cater to your baby at every single stage, from birth—with three adjustable mattress height settings—through toddlerhood (hello, toddler bed) and all the way up until they graduate.

When you're ready, it turns from a full-size crib into a daybed or full-size bed. It comes in three neutral colors (white, espresso and gray) to go with any nursery theme.

Pros

• Convertible design
• Excellent value
• Can use from birth through adolescence
• Three adjustable mattress height settings
• Sturdy
• Easy to put together

Cons

• Toddler guardrails and conversion kits are sold separately
• Limited color options

Delta Children Sloane 4-in-1 Acrylic Convertible Crib

A clear winner. Acrylic cribs are all the rage right now—seriously, they’re everywhere—and bonus: you can easily view your little one right through the rails. The Sloane 4-in-1 Acrylic Convertible Crib gets the parent seal of approval, thanks to its good looks, ease of assembly and ability to grow with your kid from baby to preschooler. 

Unlike many of the best baby cribs, Sloane comes with the conversion rail included (major!) and turns into a mini sofa too so you get lots of life out of her. You can purchase a matching dresser to complete the nursery and rest easy knowing the crib is finished with non-toxic paint that’s lead and phthalate safe—perfect for when your babe gets teeth and inevitably starts gnawing on the crib railings.

Pros

• GREENGUARD Gold Certified
• Three adjustable mattress height positions
• Conversion rail included
• On-trend design
• Sustainably made with high-quality pine wood and acrylic
• Turns into a toddler bed, daybed and sofa

Cons

• Limited color options, but the ones that exist are neutral enough to go with everything

Stokke Sleepi Mini Bundle

Mini cribs for your mini-me(s)! Stokke may be most well known for their beloved Tripp Trapp chair, but the Stokke Sleepi Mini Crib also lives up to the hype. It’s great for twins (and multiples) thanks to its small, space-saving size and portability—it comes with lockable swivel wheels so you can easily move it from room to room.

The best part is you won’t have to invest in a bassinet, which can be pricey when you’re purchasing for two or more, as this tiny bed grows with them from the newborn stage until they’re five years old.

While it’s on the expensive side, the quality is unparalleled and a firm, breathable mattress made of 3D mesh is also included so you’ll save some money there. The design is timeless too so it won’t go out of style in a few years.

Pros

• Ideals for sleeping multiple babies at once
• Well made and from a trusted brand
• Mattress included
• 4 mattress levels to grow with baby
• Lockable swivel wheels 
• Small footprint
• 7-Year warranty
• Rounded design so no sharp corners

Cons

• Sleepi bed extension not included
• Expensive

Experts:

• Abby Ludwig, Head of Parent Education at Gugu Guru
• Valerie Trumbower, DONA Certified Postpartum Doula and Founder of New Parents Academy
• Molly Leighton, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and owner of Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting