Why You Can Trust CNET Stylish, practical or both? These are the best cribs to pamper your little one.
Editor's note, March 7, 2023: The recommendations in this article are out of date and will not be updated going forward.
Decorating a nursery is an exciting time for expecting parents, and the central feature of your baby's new room is the crib. And it's important to make sure you pick out the right one. The very best cribs balance functionality and fashion, and will help your baby sleep better at night. One of the most important things to consider is your baby's needs. Newborns should sleep a lot, between 14 and 17 hours a day, which will slowly decrease as they get older. Considering how much time they'll be spending in their crib, you'll want to make sure that you choose a good one.
A baby crib should be safe, comfortable and convenient for parents. And since you'll undoubtedly be spending a large portion of your days (and nights) around it, the crib might as well be nice to look at, too. The best crib for you and your little one(s) will depend on a number of factors, including how much space you have to work with and how much you're willing to spend. These are our top picks for the best cribs available right now. We've included cribs for every budget, and each checks a number of boxes for us.
A crib has to be more than just the stylish centerpiece that ties your nursery together, but you don't have to sacrifice design to get one with great features. The Babyletto Hudson three-in-one is proof of that. This convertible crib grows with your child, transforming from a crib into a daybed and ultimately a toddler bed, thanks to an included conversion kit. In crib mode there are three mattress positions so you can lower it as your baby grows. The Hudson is Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it's free of chemicals that could be harmful to your baby, and is made from solid New Zealand pine wood harvested from sustainable sources. On top of that, it's a great-looking crib, with clean lines that make it a good fit for any modern nursery.
Priced around $230, this crib is big on value. If you're looking for a crib that will get your baby through the majority of their childhood, the DaVinci Kalani is a standout choice. The crib converts into a day bed, toddler bed and eventually a full-size bed. The parts for those conversions are sold separately, but even if you just use the Kalani as a crib, you'll get a well-made and attractive piece of furniture. Breaking from the midcentury modern design trend, this crib is more traditionally styled but understated enough to work in just about any room. The Kalani is Greenguard Gold certified and made from sustainably sourced pine wood. The crib has four adjustable mattress positions and fits a standard-size mattress.
Graco is one of the most well-known brands when it comes to baby products, so it should come as no surprise that the company has its own line of cribs. The Graco Remi is an excellent choice if you're looking for a convertible crib and changing table in one. This pine-and-wood-composite crib comes with an attached three-drawer changing table, which converts into a tall nightstand when you transition the crib to a full-size bed. In crib mode, there's also a shallow drawer underneath that's perfect for storing extra crib sheets or swaddle blankets. The crib has three mattress positions. Though the Remi is JPMA certified and tested by independent laboratories to ensure safety, it is not Greenguard Gold certified.
If you're not looking to spend hundreds on a crib, then the Ikea Sniglar might be the one for you. This basic but 100% functional crib offers the bare essentials for baby's sleeping arrangements in a tidy Swedish modern package. The Sniglar is made of solid beech wood, and just like most Ikea furniture, it assembles quickly and easily as long as you can follow the pictograms. One downside is the crib only has two mattress positions, so you'll be limited in how you can configure it as your baby grows. It's also not Greenguard Gold certified, though it comes only in an unpainted natural wood finish. When your baby no longer needs a crib, you can remove one of the sides to convert the Sniglar to a toddler bed.
If space is an issue or you want a second crib that you can move from room to room, a mini crib is a great option. These compact baby beds are easy to maneuver, thanks to their petite dimensions and legs with locking caster wheels. Some, like the Babyletto Origami, even fold up for easier transportation or storage. The Origami's sides fold in to make it nearly flat. It can then be rolled behind a door or into a closet to get it out of the way when your baby's not using it. In addition to not taking up a lot of space, the Origami is also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning it's a safe, cozy space for your little one to get some shuteye. The crib fits standard-size mini mattresses and has two mattress positions, with the bottom setting being suitable until your baby starts to climb. If you're looking for a bassinet alternative that you can use longer, this ultraportable mini crib is a solid bet.
One baby crib trend that has exploded in recent years in the rise of clear acrylic slats. This feature makes a lot of sense, as clear slats allow you to see your baby more easily and have the added benefit of showing off their stylish crib sheets. The Evolur Acrylic Millenium four-in-one is one of the best-looking cribs in this category, with a gorgeous design dripping with midcentury modern flavor. The Millenium has three mattress positions in crib mode, and with the optional parts sold separately, can convert into a daybed, toddler bed and full-size bed whenever your child is ready to move to the next stage. Though the crib meets or exceeds ASTM standards for lead and other toxic elements and is certified by the JPMA for safety, it unfortunately isn't Greenguard Gold certified.
If money is no object and you want a beautiful piece of furniture to really tie your nursery together, look no further than the Nursery Works Novella. This crib perfectly captures the essence of midcentury modern design with its natural ash wood body, light-colored slats of alternating thickness and slender brass-electroplated aluminum legs. The Novella has three mattress positions and converts into a daybed, toddler bed and reading nook with rails and other parts sold separately. This designer crib will set you back a cool $1,300, but that might be a small price to pay to have the sharpest baby room on the block.
Note that this item is currently backordered and will ship in September.
Your own criteria for a baby crib may vary, but in general you're looking for something that fits your budget and specific needs. It also doesn't hurt if it's aesthetically pleasing. Here are a few other things to look for and be aware of on your crib-shopping journey.
When I first started shopping for baby gear, I asked myself this question. The answer is maybe, depending on your living situation. One thing that's certain is you need a safe sleeping environment (either a bassinet or a crib) for your baby, ideally located in the room where you sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a safe sleeping environment outside the parents' bed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and suffocation.
With that said, a bassinet works great for this purpose. But if you have space in your room for a full-size crib, you could skip the bassinet all together. Alternatively, if you don't have a lot of space, you could get a mini crib that rolls and folds. You'd get more use out of a mini crib than a bassinet, which you typically only use for the first six months, but you'd still need to upgrade to a full-size crib at some point.
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