9 Best Cribs for Every Need, Tested by Parents and Babies

The Bump takeaway: The Babyletto Pogo 8-in-1 Convertible Crib with All-Stages Conversion Kits is the Best of The Bump winner for overall best baby crib thanks to its flexible configurations, included conversion kits and sturdy, modern design.

When choosing our overall best baby crib, we wanted a crib that went beyond the basics. Safety, style and sturdiness all mattered, of course, but so did long-term value—especially in a category where “convertible” claims can be confusing and conversion kits are often sold separately. The Babyletto Pogo stood out because it includes the pieces parents need to move through multiple stages, rather than leaving families to track down toddler rails or conversion kits later.

In our survey of parents from The Bump community, 24 percent said that when conversion kits aren't included, it's one of their biggest crib frustrations. And it’s easy to understand why—a crib may be marketed as convertible, but if the required rail or kit is sold separately, backordered or discontinued by the time you need it, that long-term promise can fall apart. With the Pogo, the conversion kits are included in the price, which helps make the higher upfront cost feel more worthwhile.

Conversion
The Pogo starts as a bassinet, then converts to a midi crib, full-size crib, midi toddler bed (shorter length, for toddlers 1 to 2), midi daybed (open-sided but shorter, for toddlers 1 to 2), full-size toddler bed, full-size daybed and junior bed.

That bassinet to midi setup is a major part of its appeal, since it can support room-sharing for longer before transitioning to a full-size crib. “The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first six months, ideally the full year, because proximity to a caregiver during sleep is independently associated with reduced SIDS risk,” says Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a triple board-certified sleep medicine physician.

Our product tester Morgan loved the flexibility the different modes offered—she used the Pogo with her 3-month-old and her 2-year-old, and the different configurations worked well across her family’s different stages. Her baby slept equally well in both the bassinet and crib modes, and her toddler “was very excited about the idea of being able to crawl into bed herself,” Morgan tells us. “She enjoyed sitting on it while listening to books or her toniebox before bedtime. It was a great height and I really love the simplicity of the design.”

Portability
In bassinet mode, the Pogo has one feature that really stood out to our tester: Four removable wheels that allow the bassinet to move easily from room to room, but lock in place once you've got it where you want. Morgan tells us, "For the most part I kept the bassinet by my bed, but it was so nice to have the option to occasionally wheel it into my bathroom if I needed to keep an eye on her while doing other things as she napped."

Ease of use
The biggest tradeoff of the Pogo is storage—because the Pogo includes parts for eight different configurations, you’ll need somewhere to keep the pieces you’re not using yet. Morgan said the number of parts felt a little overwhelming at first, though she found the conversions themselves manageable, taking about 30 to 40 minutes between stages.

Style
Made from 100% sustainably sourced, FSC-certified New Zealand pine wood, the Pogo comes in four color options, including natural walnut and olive. Its sleek, neutral design is another plus, making it easy to work into a range of nursery styles as it transitions through different stages. “The style of this crib in all its configurations is very modern and simple, says Morgan. “It’s a timeless piece.”

Dimensions (mini crib): 37.75" (L) x 31" (W) x 35.25" (H) |** Dimensions (crib/toddler bed):** 54" (L) x 31" (W) x 35.25" (H) | Mattress included? Bassinet and midi mattress pad included, crib mattress not included | Modes: 8 | Requires a separate conversion kit? No | Mattress heights: 4 | Has wheels? Bassinet mode only | Tools included or required? Screwdriver required

The Bump Takeaway: The Delta Children Jordan 4-in-1 Convertible Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for best budget-friendly baby crib thanks to its sturdy build and simple modern design at an affordable price tag.

A well-made crib doesn’t have to come at a premium price. In our survey of parents from The Bump community, 40 percent said the expense of buying a crib was one of their biggest concerns. The Delta Children Jordan 4-in-1 Convertible Crib stood out as a strong value because it offers the essentials parents want: It has a full-size frame, three adjustable mattress heights, modern styling and a sturdy feel for just under $200.

Ease of use
Our product tester Melissa was pleasantly surprised by the quality for the money. She found the crib solid and sturdy once assembled, and appreciated that it came with clear instructions and the tools needed for setup. "They truly meant 'no tools required,'" she says. She was able to build it on her own, which is a real plus in a category where assembly can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Style
Made predominantly from sustainable New Zealand pine wood, the Jordan has a clean, minimal look that can work with a range of nursery styles. "I love that it has a timeless, minimalistic design and is gender neutral,” Melissa says, making it a good choice for parents who want something simple but still polished.

Conversion
The Jordan is marketed as a “4-in-1 crib,” converting from a standard crib to a toddler bed, daybed and sofa. In practice though, it's really more like three modes—to convert from daybed to sofa, you place some cushions (that aren’t included) on the daybed. But, marketing speak aside, the three modes you do get work well, and the toddler bed conversion is likely the most useful for many families.

The toddler guard rail is sold separately, so while the crib itself is under $200, the total price is really more like $275 if you plan to use that setup. Still, that keeps the overall cost of the Jordan well below the other cribs on our list, while still giving parents a sturdy, full-size option with a clean, modern look.

Dimensions (crib/toddler bed): 54.5" (L) x 30.25" (W) x 34" (H) | Mattress included? No | Modes: 3 | Requires a separate conversion kit? Yes | Mattress heights: 3 | Has wheels? No | Tools included or required? Included

The Bump Takeaway: The Nestig Wave 3-in-1 Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for best crib for easy assembly thanks to its clear instructions, quick one-person setup and simple conversions, making it a standout for parents who want a crib that’s less stressful to build, move and reconfigure.

Crib assembly can be one of the more frustrating parts of setting up a nursery. Full-size cribs have multiple pieces and often heavy frames—and once built, don’t fit through standard doorways. In our parent survey, 40 percent said having to dismantle a crib to move it from room to room was one of their biggest frustrations. That’s why ease of use mattered so much in our testing.

The Wave 3-in-1 Crib stood out in this regard. Our product testers Morgan and Lauren both noted the ease of assembly, praising just how quickly and smoothly it came together. Morgan shared that the initial assembly took just 20 minutes, while Lauren completed it in about 30 minutes. “The instructions were very clear and I had no problems whatsoever in putting the crib together,” Lauren says.

Both testers also found converting between modes manageable. “Switching the mini crib to a full crib was quite easy and clearly shown in the visual aids in the instruction pamphlet,” Lauren says. “It was very intuitive and easy to put together, as well as morph into all of the size stages.”

Conversion and portability
Beyond assembly, the Wave delivers on its promised 3-in-1 design, converting from a mini crib to a full-size crib to a toddler bed. The mini crib mattress is included, and the cribs wheels make it easier to move around the home before transitioning to the full-size setup. Lauren especially appreciated this detail, saying, “We built it in the living room, and having the wheels on the crib made it so easy to move around the house.”

The mattress can be raised or lowered to three different heights in both mini crib and crib mode, and Morgan reports that doing so is no harder than the assembly or conversion: "It was very easy to raise and lower… only takes a couple of minutes," she says. Lauren appreciated this as well, telling us, "I loved the height options and felt that she was safe in the crib from the moment I put her in."

Style and quality
With its rounded, sculpted lines, the Wave has built a reputation for its stylish looks. “I adored the aesthetic of this crib,” Lauren tells us. “It fit in perfectly in our nursery and coordinated well with our family’s style.” It’s also made from sustainably harvested solid Brazilian Pine, which is a slightly denser and stronger wood than the New Zealand pine used by several other cribs in our list.

Expense
The main tradeoff of the Wave is its price. This is already a higher-end crib, and the toddler bed rail is sold separately. Still, for parents who want a modern crib that’s quick to build, easy to convert and thoughtfully designed, the Wave makes the setup process feel noticeably less daunting.

Dimensions (mini crib): 31" (L) x 24.5" (W) x 31.5" (H) | Dimensions (crib/toddler bed): 54.3" (L) x 31" (W) x 31.5" (H) | Mattress included? Mini crib mattress included; crib mattress available for purchase| Modes: 3 | Requires a separate conversion kit? Yes | Mattress heights: 3 | Has wheels? Yes | Tools included or required? Included

The Bump Takeaway: The Cradlewise Convertible Smart Bassinet and Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for best smart baby crib thanks to its automatic soothing, detailed sleep insights and built-in monitor.

Baby's sleep can be unpredictable and difficult to navigate. This is especially true in the newborn stage, which is why, over the past decade, we've seen a new category of smart bassinets hit the market, offering parents everything from sleep analytics to automated soothing to help them through the first few months of baby's life.

Unfortunately, that tech innovation comes with a high price tag, and for a lot of parents, it can be too much to justify for a bassinet that you're only going to use until baby can start to push up and roll over, which might be as early as 3 or 4 months.

This is where the Cradlewise Convertible Smart Bassinet and Crib sets itself apart. While smart features are increasingly common in the bassinet world, they're decidedly more rare in the world of cribs. But the Cradlewise is designed to last beyond baby’s first few months—it starts in bassinet mode, then transitions to a lower crib setting that can be used up to 24 months. That’s a meaningful differentiator, since sleep challenges don’t necessarily end when baby outgrows their bassinet. So even after baby is sleeping in their own room, you can keep taking advantage of automated soothing, sleep tracking, a sound machine and a built-in video monitor.

Smart features
One of the biggest draws of the Cradlewise is the automated soothing—any parent who's heard the first fusses coming through a baby monitor at 2 a.m. and spent a silent moment hoping it'll pass instead of developing into a full-scale cry knows why. The crib detects early signs of stirring and responds with a smooth bouncing motion and soothing sounds to help lull baby back to sleep.

Our testers had different experiences with this feature. Sammy, who tested Cradlewise with her 15-week-old, found the motion responsive and helpful. “I love that the Cradlewise bassinet soothes simply during restlessness,” she says. “I think it’s exactly what my son needs to pull him back into a deep sleep.” Taylor, who tested it with her 19-week-old and 20-month-old, found it most helpful for naps and daytime sleep, noting that it calmed her baby about 50 percent of the time.

The app was another standout. Testers could see when baby was asleep, awake or stirring, how often the crib activated soothing mode and how long each sleep stretch lasted. Sammy found the sleep tracker “visually appealing and easy to analyze,” while Taylor appreciated that the app broke into specific categories, including stirs, cries, soothing sessions and sleep cycles.

Monitor
Cradlewise also includes a built-in camera and sound monitor, which may save parents from buying a separate monitor. That said, the monitor feedback was mixed. Sammy found the camera clear during both day and night, while Taylor noticed a hazy orange tint at night and wished the camera angle captured more of the crib. The white mesh sides were another tradeoff—both testers noted it was difficult or impossible to see baby through the side panels.

Expense
The main downside of this product is the price. There's no denying it: The Cradlewise is a major investment. It's easily the most expensive option on our list, due to its tech-powered design, and while the lifespan is long compared to other bassinets, it doesn't convert into a toddler bed once baby outgrows a crib. It's a great choice for parents who highly value smart features.

Dimensions: 40" (L) x 25" (W) x 42" (H) | Mattress included?: Yes | Modes: 2 | Requires a separate conversion kit?: No | Mattress heights: 2 | Has wheels? (Y/N): No | Tools included or required?: Tools included

The Bump Takeaway: The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for best baby crib for shorter parents thanks to its lower-profile design, which can make it easier to reach baby even when the mattress is set to a lower height.

Lifting baby in and out of the crib can be physically awkward, especially once baby gets old enough that the mattress has to be lowered for safety. In our survey of parents from The Bump community, difficulty bending down when the mattress is on the lowest setting was the most common crib frustration. For shorter parents, that reach can feel even more challenging.

The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is designed with a lower profile, which can make those repeated reaches feel a little less awkward. When we compared standard and premium cribs, the Hudson had one of the shortest distances between the top rail and the lowest mattress setting. In practical terms, that means parents don’t have to reach quite as far down to place baby on the mattress or lift them back out.

Our tester Morgan, who is 5'3", noticed the difference. “The low profile was quite the change from my other crib and I liked it so much more than I thought I would,” she says. “It’s easy to lower my baby into the crib and will feel easier when I move the mattress to the lowest height as well.”

That matters because a lowered mattress can be tough on parents’ bodies, especially during postpartum recovery. “A lowered crib mattress can make postpartum recovery genuinely harder, especially after a C-section,” says Natalie Barnett, PhD, vice president of clinical research at Nanit. She recommends bending from the hips rather than the waist to reduce strain, but a lower-profile crib can also help make those repeated lifts feel more manageable.

Conversion
The Hudson advertises three modes: A crib, a toddler bed and a day bed, with everything you need for the toddler bed conversion included in your purchase. It also offers four mattress heights (one more than average) providing a little extra flexibility.

Style
The Hudson offers a clean, modern look, which Morgan described as "a minimalist style" that would fit a lot of nurseries. She liked the outward angle of the feet, and tells us, "I think they provide a smoother, classier look to the crib; it makes it feel more like a luxurious piece of furniture rather than a [cheaper] type of furniture with very straight lines."

Dimensions: 53.75" (L) x 29.75" (W) x 35" (H) | Mattress included? No | Modes: 3 | Requires a separate conversion kit? No | Mattress heights: 4 | Has wheels? No | Tools included or required? Screwdriver required

The Bump Takeaway: The Storkcraft Santorini Deluxe 5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Bonus Toddler Guardrail is the Best of The Bump winner for best baby crib for modern styling thanks to its curved silhouette, two-tone design options and high-quality feel, making it a standout for parents who want the crib to serve as a true nursery centerpiece.

A crib is one of the largest pieces of furniture in a nursery and often the centerpiece you build the room around, so obviously you're going to want to factor style into your choice. If you’re looking for something more design-forward than a traditional crib, the Storkcraft Santorini Deluxe 5-in-1 Convertible Crib delivers a polished, modern look without sacrificing everyday function.

Style
The Santorini stands out for its rounded details, curved base and two-tone color options, which give it a softer, more elevated feel than many standard cribs. Our product tester Casey was especially impressed by the design. “It’s very unique but also chic,” she said. “I really enjoy the bottom part being curved—it adds some dimension to a simple room. I think it looks really expensive and high quality.”

Portability
This crib didn’t just win on looks; Casey also found it straightforward to build, sturdy and secure. While cribs are never lightweight, at 42 pounds, this is one of the lightest options on our list and Casey found it easy to move around the room.

Conversion
She also found the conversions simple to manage, describing the process of making the switch from crib to toddler bed to day bed as "super easy." And parents who plan to use the toddler bed mode will be pleased to learn that toddler guardrail is included. This is especially important when you need to match a specific style—if looks are a high priority, you're not going to want to settle later for another color or finish if yours has been discontinued.

The Santorini also offers four adjustable mattress heights and can convert into a full-size bed. But as with many full-size bed configurations, you’ll need to buy that conversion kit separately, so that final stage may be less practical than the crib, toddler bed and day bed modes.

Dimensions: 54.25" (L) x 29.9" (W) x 35.8" (H) | *Mattress included? No | *Modes:* 4 | Requires a separate conversion kit? No for toddler bed; yes for full-size bed | Mattress heights: 4 | Has wheels? No | Tools included or required? Screwdriver required

The Bump Takeaway: The Namesake Abigail 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for best baby crib for heritage styling thanks to its vintage-inspired metal design, sturdy premium steel construction and classic look that can work across a range of nursery styles.

If your nursery mood board leans vintage, classic or even a little grannycore, the Namesake Abigail 3-in-1 Convertible Crib delivers that heritage-inspired look without feeling dated. Its premium steel frame, curved rails and matte finish set it apart from the wood cribs that dominate the market, giving it the feel of an heirloom piece with the safety and convenience of a modern crib.

Our product tester Blair loved the crib’s look. “This crib is an absolute dream,” she said. “It can fit in with so many different themes of bedrooms or nurseries. The finish of the crib is matte and very classic—very pleasing to the eye.”

Durability
The metal construction is part of this crib's appeal for more than just aesthetics. While wood cribs can be prone to scratches, chips and teething marks, the Abigail’s steel frame feels especially sturdy and hard-wearing. Blair was immediately impressed by the quality, calling it “probably the most sturdy crib I’ve ever had for any of my children. I'm really impressed and I can tell this piece of furniture was designed to last for many, many years.”

Assembly and conversion
Putting this crib together was pretty straightforward—Blair had it fully assembled in about half an hour. In fact, the only crib any of our testers assembled faster was the Nestig.

With four adjustable mattress heights, Blair found it easy to lift her baby in and out and says the crib felt solid in both toddler bed and daybed mode. The toddler bed conversion kit is sold separately, so you'll want to factor that into the total cost if you plan to use it beyond the crib stage.

Expense
The Abigail isn't the most expensive crib on our list, but it's not the cheapest either (even before you factor in the bed rail). Still, Blair thought it was worth it. The combination of timeless style and durable metal construction really impressed her. "This crib is definitely worth its price,” she tells us. “I expect to use this crib until my youngest child grows out of it."

Dimensions: 54" (L) x 29.5" (W) x 44" (H) | Mattress included? No | Modes: 3 | Requires a separate conversion kit? Yes | Mattress heights: 4 | Has wheels? No | Tools included or required? Included

The Bump Takeaway: The Graco Hadley 5-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer with Drawer is the Best of The Bump winner for best baby crib for built-in storage thanks to its built-in changing table, three drawers, open shelving and large under-crib drawer, making it a practical option for parents who want nursery essentials close at hand.

Babies may be small, but their gear adds up quickly. If you’re short on nursery storage—or simply want diapers, wipes, sheets and sleep sacks all within easy reach, the Graco Hadley 5-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer with Drawer is worth considering.

The crib goes beyond the typical under-crib drawer. It includes an attached changing table with three drawers, two open shelves, a water-resistant changing pad and safety strap, plus a large divided drawer beneath the crib. Katelyn, a sleep consultant and our product tester, especially appreciated the under-crib storage, saying, “Using that often-unused space under the crib as a large drawer for things like sheets, blankets, sleep sacks, etc., is genius. Usually under the crib just collects dust and thrown pacifiers!”

Assembly
Have you ever gotten a chest of drawers or a bookshelf that needs to be assembled at home, and it takes a long time, and maybe needs two people to get it done right? Now imagine you're assembling several of those pieces of furniture at once, and you’ll get a sense of what’s required to put together the Hadley.

Katelyn and her husband needed to call her brother-in-law over just to help get the box up the stairs, and assembly took them over three hours. This is not a simple set-up, and needless to say, it's large and heavy enough that you'll need to assemble it in the room it's going to live in—this thing isn't moving around or fitting through doors once it's together. However, once it’s assembled, Katelyn says it was "VERY sturdy, and seems high quality."

Conversion
The Hadley is marketed as a 5-in-1 crib, with three mattress heights and the option to convert into a toddler bed, daybed and full-size bed (with or without a headboard). In practice though, the full-size bed conversion requires buying another separate kit and only converts it to a frame without slats or a boxspring, so you'll need to buy those too. That said, switching between modes was surprisingly easy—the conversion to toddler bed took her a mere 15 minutes and only required an included allen wrench.

Dimensions (crib/toddler bed): 71.7" (L) x 29.9" (W) x 39.8" (H) | Mattress included? No | Modes: 4 | Requires a separate conversion kit? Yes | Mattress heights: 3 | Has wheels? No | Tools included or required? Screwdriver required

The Bump Takeaway: The Babyletto Origami Mini Crib is the Best of The Bump winner for parents who only want a mini crib thanks to its wheeled design, ease of assembly and foldable frame, making it a practical option for room-sharing, small spaces and storage between babies.

Room sharing isn't easy. You're supposed to do so for at least six months, and preferably for the first year of baby's life, but that means fitting a whole other person's sleep space into your bedroom. The smaller footprint of a bassinet is great for the first few months, but babies outgrow them quickly (and some faster than others). If you have a luxuriously spacious bedroom you might be able to assemble a full-size crib in there, then break it down and move it to baby's nursery once the year is up, but that option just isn't realistic for many families.

Some parents decide to skip the bassinet and just use a mini crib. As baby gear expert Grayson tells us, “The AAP recommends trying to keep the baby in the same room as the parents up through the first year and a mini crib obviously doesn’t take up as much room.” If you choose to go this route, the Babyletto Origami Mini Crib is a strong option. You've seen the name Babyletto come up a few times on this list, and there's a reason—they're a dependable crib maker, and their mini crib is no exception.

Assembly and portability
Our product tester Emily thought assembly was straightforward. It only took 25 minutes to build, although she did have help from her father but felt she could have done it alone if it had been necessary. Once it was together, she was impressed by how easily it moved around the room (or from room to room) on the included wheels. She tells us, "I built the crib in our nursery, however I was planning to use the crib in my own bedroom next to my bed. Once assembled, it was easy to roll into my bedroom and fit perfectly through the doorways."

Design and bedroom use
There's a lot about the design of this mini crib that makes it great for room-sharing. For starters, Emily thought it was "the perfect height" for lining up against the side of her bed. “When the mini crib is rolled up next to my bed, my baby is on the same level as me,” she says. This isn't going to be true of every bed (they come in different heights) but it's good to know it suits an average-height bed.

Bedside access made soothing and bonding easy for Emily as well, and the design of the mini crib helped with that. "I can see my baby well through the rails both when standing and when lying in bed," she says. "I can even reach my hand and wrist through the bars to pat her or grab her pacifier when necessary."

Style
Emily thought the design of this mini-crib was one she'd actually enjoy having in her bedroom: “The style of this crib is modern yet timeless. It’s streamlined and simple without extra adornment,” she says.

Longevity
The Origami isn’t the cheapest mini crib—it's inexpensive compared to the other cribs on this list, but they convert to other modes—and once the year of room-sharing is up and baby is around 18 months, you're going to need a full-size crib. So you'll want to get as much use out of it as you can. One standout feature of the Origami is the ability to fold down for storage between children. If you plan on having more kids, this is one you can put away and take back out for the next time around with relative ease.

Dimensions: 39.25" (L) x 25.75" (W) x 36" (H) | Mattress included? Yes | Modes: 1 | Requires a separate conversion kit? N/A | Mattress heights: 2 | Has wheels? Yes | Tools included or required? Screwdriver required