Babies Are Expensive — Convertible Cribs Can Help You Save Some Cash

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Cribs are the main focus of your little one’s entire nursery. It’s where your baby will lay their head at night, so it’s crucial for you to find one that’s just right. One solution that’s not only beautiful but a wise economic choice is a convertible crib. A convertible crib can become a toddler bed, and some of them even convert all the way to a full-size bed, taking your child from infancy to college graduation. And while it's a longshot gift for many new parents, stores like Crate and Barrel allow multiple people to go in on a gift, making it a more approachable baby shower item.

Best Convertible Cribs

• Best Overall: Babyletto Sprout 4-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit in Chestnut and Natural

• Best Bi-Color: Crate and Kids Finn Sage Green Wood Convertible Baby Crib

• For Vintage Lovers: Pottery Barn Kids Chris Loves Julia Turned Wood Crib

• Best Multi Set: Nestig Candy Cloud Crib

• Midcentury Baby: Delta Children Essex 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib

What to Consider

Cribs are not just furniture — they're a refuge for your baby. They're the safest place to sleep and the best place for your baby to hang out. All cribs must abide by certain safety standards set by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). For instance, the slats can be no further than 2-3/8 inches apart, and there can't be any cutouts on the headboard or footboard, as those are a major trapping hazard. Crib bumpers have also been outlawed recently because of the fall and suffocation risks they pose.

With convertible cribs, you have a few extra things you want to think about. You need to know how it converts and what it converts into, the materials used to make the crib, and the style. Cost is also important, which is why I've chosen models at every price point.

How it Converts

This is the biggest thing you need to think about when it comes to a convertible crib. There are several ways that a convertible crib can change. Some move from standard cribs into toddler beds, like the Nestig and the Equinox. Some beds come with rails included, like the gorgeous gold iron Raven crib, while other convertible cribs like the Sloan feature one or both sizes that can be removed with the mattress in the lowest position. Another popular style of convertible cribs are ones that transition from a crib to a toddler bed to a full-size bed, like the Babyletto Sprout. If you're looking for value, it can't be topped.

It should be noted that not every convertible crib comes with the conversion kit, and that can be a hefty additional expense. For example, the conversion kit for the Sloan is $159. And that's pretty standard. But they range from $59 to $175.

Materials

The majority of convertible cribs are made from wood — like the Essex— all of which are gorgeous and timeless. But that doesn't mean it's the only pony in this show. Metals and acrylic cribs like the Sloan are getting more popular every year, and lots of cribs use a mix of materials. Using different materials changes both the feel and the cost of the crib. Acrylic and metal cribs are pricey— as are cribs that use rare woods. If your heart is set on acrylic or brass, know that it comes at a premium.

Style

No matter what style you like, be it Danish modern, traditional, contemporary, or none of these, there's a great convertible crib for you. And don't be afraid to mix styles and materials in your nursery— sometimes those are the best choices.

I've chosen a variety of convertible cribs based on style, price, and personal reviews. These are the best convertible cribs available, and your baby would be lucky to have any of them.

Sprout 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

I could write sonnets about how much I love this crib. First, let's start with the price. It's about $500, but that's with the toddler conversion kit, and it does turn into a full size crib. That's potentially $500 of bed getting you from day one to moving out.

The convertible crib is made of sustainable New Zealand pine and finished in a non-toxic stain or paint. When I opened this crib, it smelled like sawdust, not off-gassing like so many cribs do.

I assembled this crib by myself in about an hour. Yes, given my job I do have more experience than your average parent at assembling baby furniture, but the instructions were specific and well-thought out. And this thing sturdy.

It is a bit heavy given the materials, but that is a good thing, in my opinion, because babies are notorious for using their crib as a jungle gym, and stability is important. In addition to its ease of assembly and build quality, just look at it. Babyletto always makes absolutely lovely products, but this might just be its prettiest.

Finn Sage Green Wood Convertible Baby Crib

The Finn crib is as sturdy as it is beautiful, according to our tester, Best Products SEO strategist Sean Abrams. He tells Best that his wife says that "The height saves my back." As anyone who has had a child can tell you, that's no small feat.

The height of the crib is very deliberate with Crate and Kids. It is the perfect combination of safety and comfort for baby and parents. The safety comes into play again with the fact that it's Greenguard Gold certified, so it's treating the earth and your baby with care.

The spindles are poplar and the legs are oak, with manufactured wood panels that give the crib ample weight and heft. It's easy to assemble, with very few parts to attach to each other, and raising and lowering the mattress is a cinch.

The only real drawback to this crib is that you have to buy the toddler rails separately. Hopefully, one day, Crate changes this policy.

Chris Loves Julia Turned Wood Crib

As someone who loves all things vintage, this crib speaks to me. Cribs are not always the safest bet to buy second hand (safety regulations change), but with this convertible crib, you don't need to sacrifice your style for your child's safety.

You can order this crib alone, or with a package that includes a toddler rail and even a mattress. Likewise, you can put it together yourself, or you can opt for in-home assembly. As someone who's put together their fair share of cribs, I'd opt for the latter. Though I will mention that I recently assembled this very crib, and it wasn't hard to do. It's just heavy because of the hardwood, and when you're pregnant, you're already doing so much.

The finishes on this crib are where it shines the most. The dark walnut stain, the turned spindle, and then the stunning conversion rails that give the crib a premium, luxurious feel. This crib is part of an entire line that goes together brilliantly, so if you're indecisive, Pottery Barn has taken the work out of it for you.

Candy Cloud Crib

Nestig is one of the brands I find myself recommending over and over again, and this is a great crib for a few reasons. First, style; second, its sturdy and simple design; and third; the top mattress position is by far my favorite. Sure, it starts as a mini crib and then converts to a traditional crib and then a toddler bed, but that crib height? As a tall woman, I can tell you, it's a game changer.

With its Candy Cloud line, Nestig is bringing in cheerful colors like this mint, but also pinks, blues, and other colors. It adds a bit of whimsy to the crib without being over the top. It keeps its gender-neutral status too, if any more fresh humans are added to your family.

I have put together several, and spoken to multiple parents who have this crib, and everyone loves it, noting how solid it feels, and how comfortable it is for the parents. You really cannot go wrong.

Essex 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Crib

Mid-century style meets modern practicality with this crib. Your little Mad Men baby will sleep comfortably on all three different positions of the mattress. And when they're ready? It looks just as cool as a toddler bed and daybed.

One parent I spoke with said that this crib only took her and her husband 45 minutes to put together, and that includes the time spent redoing several of the screws her husband placed incorrectly. I'm calling that a win — and also a little bit predictable.

It has three mattress positions, great for both the baby and the parent. Middle-of-the-night changes shouldn't be more miserable than they need to be.

Equinox 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

This crib has the Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval for nursery and children's furniture. If that's not enough, it's Greenguard Gold-certified and takes about 15 minutes to put together.

Parents note how durable this crib is. It’s solidly built, and it features a modern-yet-vintage style that you can’t go wrong with, no matter the decor of your baby’s nursery.

This is a fairly low crib, and even with the three positions for the mattress, taller parents may not love this model.

Raven 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Your baby will feel like royalty in this gold convertible crib from Little Seeds. Made of polished gold steel, this 3-in1 convertible crib comes with the crib and the toddler rails ready to go. Other colors are available as well, and price varies by color.

The crib mattress (sold separately) can be placed at three different heights, saving your back in the process. Parents say that it's easy to put together and looks even better in person than in pictures.

It's stunning — and easy to adjust. It is a real danger for bare toes, though. Parents lament just how often they stub them on this crib.

Sloan Acrylic Convertible Crib

Nothing will impede your baby's view of the world with this modern combination of acrylic and wood crib from West Elm. The sleek style combined with the high-quality, kiln-dried solid-and-engineered wood frame with water-based lacquer means that your child won't easily destroy this bad boy.

Ostensibly your child's child or your future children could use this crib as well. This is also a low crib, but the top setting is pretty high, splitting the difference in comfort for taller parents.

The Wave Crib

This is a favorite among our editors. It's pretty genius and comes with the mini crib with locking wheels, the original mini crib mattress, the conversion kit to the full crib, and the conversion kit for the toddler bed.

Our executive director, Christine Anderson, is a big fan of this crib. She says, “Our daughter has been using the Nestig Wave Convertible Crib since her birth in 2021. Our primary bedroom isn’t large enough to fit the full-size crib, so we were going to need a bassinet for those early months. Luckily for us, this mini-crib is super convenient for families tight on space. It fit between our bed and the wall. I could access Cece in the middle of the night for feedings or to settle her without having to get up! It saved my sanity when I was short on sleep.”

Juliette 6-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Rail

Key Specs

• Conversion Style: Crib, toddler bed, daybed, full-size bed

• Materials: New Zealand pine wood, poplar wood, and TSCA compliant engineered wood

• Mattress Positions: 3
  

• Kit Included? All but full-size rails

I admit the style of this crib is a bit extra, but that's why I love it so much. Its over-the-top elegance is set off with details like the carved edges and delicate feet.

When it's a toddler bed, it begins to look a little less juvenile, but it's still very much a kids' bed. But when it's a full-size? It's all classic regality.

Our deputy editor, Joana Mascioli, uses this crib for her little one. She says, “I absolutely love this crib! It’s easy to assemble (it took us just under an hour), has a beautiful design, and sits at the perfect height for getting my little one in and out of bed comfortably. It truly looks like an expensive piece of furniture — in no way does this crib look cheap in person (as some cribs do). Most importantly, my baby absolutely loves it! He sleeps great in it and seems incredibly comfortable in his surroundings. I 10/10 recommend this crib — it’s timeless and is a great value and quality for the price point, especially for multiple kids.”

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