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By Briana Feigon and Katherine Burns Olson
All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Baby cribs are a big investment, especially when you consider that most babies sleep in them for one to two and a half years. That’s why a convertible crib is the way to go for parents who want to be savvy with their shopping and invest in something that will last them a long time. A convertible crib has an adjustable floor and rails that can be lowered as your little one gets older and starts to make the transition from crib to toddler bed.
When I was vetting crib options, I ranked lifespan as one of the top priorities on my must-have list. We’ve all heard the saying “kids grow up so fast,” and I wanted to ensure that we’d be able to use a crib longer than just the 12–18 months—which go by in a flash!—between the baby’s bassinet period and when they are fully capable of climbing out of a crib on their own. With a convertible crib, your kid can sleep in it for up to five years, thanks to the assistance of a toddler bed conversion kit. (Of course, not every crib on the market is a convertible one, and you'll usually need to purchase the relevant conversion kit from your crib’s retailer separately. Most of the kits arrive with bed rails, slats, and the necessary hardware to transform your baby’s convertible crib into a toddler bed.)
As with so many baby-related purchases, it’s easy to get decision fatigue given the overwhelming amount of options to choose from, especially when you’re trying to source solutions that both assure your baby’s safe sleep and meet your own standards for nursery decor. So we’ve put in the hours, done all the research, tested out as many products as we could get our hands on, and come up with a list of the best convertible cribs for your baby’s nursery. Let’s get started, so that you can put at least one of the most important items on your shopping list to bed.
How we reviewed our convertible cribs and why you should trust us⤵
How to choose the best convertible crib⤵
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was very easy—it shipped normally and didn’t require any scheduling, but note that it does take around a month to ship since it’s made to order in Brazil. It arrives in two boxes—one with everything for the mini crib and one with the parts for the full crib and toddler bed. I only set up the mini crib and stored the regular crib and toddler crib parts for the future. The setup was very easy and the directions were easy to understand. The only thing I’d note is that the website says the average assembly time for the mini crib is 20 minutes but that seems very ambitious. In total it took me an hour, which included assembling the right parts.
Why did you choose this crib? I wanted a crib that would last a long time and grow with the baby. I like that I can use the mini crib as a bassinet, and it has wheels so it can easily move from my room to the nursery or from my side of the bed to my husband’s. I also liked the color options—I wanted a light green crib to go with the rest of the nursery, which has a pastel theme, and this fits the bill!
Buy this if…you want a wheeled three-in-one solution that seamlessly transitions from bassinet to crib to toddler bed (and also from room to room), but doesn’t cut corners on nursery-ready charm.
How was the delivery and setup? Fantastic. The Crate and Barrel white-glove delivery was genuinely a godsend. I received this piece of furniture when I was nine months pregnant and I never would have been able to bring in the box inside, let alone set the crib up. The delivery team was punctual, friendly, set the entire crib up, and even cleared all of the boxes on their way out. 10/10!
Why did you choose this crib? I love the simplicity of the design and the light ash wood. It feels clean and fresh. I also appreciate that it is Greenguard Gold Certified, so I felt confident that it would keep my baby girl safe.
Buy this if…you want an easy-to-install (hello, white-glove delivery!) crib that complements virtually any decor, all while meeting Greenguard Gold standards. Its long life expectancy plus its use of FSC Certified wood can put your environmental concerns slightly more at ease too.
Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was fast and easy—the setup, not so much.Putting together the Stokke Sleepi Bed is quite a chore. The instructions are not the most intuitive, the curved pieces are tricky to fit together and attach at the same time, and the whole experience really benefits from having two people instead of one.
Why did you choose this crib? The Stokke Sleepi Bed is one of the most flexible ones on the market: It can be set up as a bassinet, a crib, or a toddler bed, and the wheels and narrow width make it really easy to move around from room to room.
Buy this if…you appreciate a circular design, whether for the aesthetic or for the ease of use. This narrower-than-average crib is especially capable when it comes to rolling from place to place without requiring re-assembly when you decide on its final destination.
Tester: Marissa G. Muller, contributor
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was quick and easy, and setup was exceptionally quick and easy—even for someone who’s not at all handy. The instructions and tools it comes with make that a breeze to accomplish. The three heights you can set the mattress on are also super easy to adjust, and outfitting it into a toddler bed isn’t much more work.
Why did you choose this crib? Most convertible cribs are an afterthought—you simply take off a rail or replace one rail with a shorter rail—but Oeuf designed a stylish crib that transforms into an actual bed frame that feels like a separate thought. It’s one of the best-designed quality-made convertible cribs out there.
Buy this if…you value super-easy assembly, and you’re looking for a toddler bed that has its very own aesthetic POV. It’s got a solid Baltic birch base, a design that meets all the different safety standards (including U.S., Canadian, Australian and European), and Oeuf’s luxe yet linear style—this model is perhaps the most thoughtfully designed crib to make our list.
How was the delivery and setup? Expertly packed, there was no damage to any of the clearly high-quality parts, and the assembly was relatively hassle-free. It weighs 135 lbs., which means we required assistance hoisting it up a flight of stairs. We did this piece by heavy piece instead of hauling the large box it arrived in.
Why did you choose this crib? My parents live close by, so I ordered this crib for the room they’ve newly designated for their grandkids—a subtly tropical-themed space accented with palm-leaf printed fabrics and a vintage Hawaiian photograph on the wall. The standard size Marin crib is available in natural walnut, honey and warm white finishes (I went for the deep caramel color) with chic rattan-style paneling, rounded slats, and a super sturdy feel that fit right in with the room’s motif. Pros:
Buy this if…you’re looking to make a decorative statement with cane (set against your choice of walnut, honey or white) without sacrificing high-quality, Greenguard Gold-certified materials.
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery for our crib took some time since we bought it when it was on backorder. But it did arrive in time for when we needed it. It also arrived with a damaged bottom mattress panel, and Crate & Barrel was able to resend one to us in an efficient manner using a third party delivery service. Setup was easy and as expected with properly labeled pieces and the necessary tools (an Allen wrench).
Why did you choose this crib? We chose this crib because we didn’t know the gender of the baby we were having, so we wanted to keep things neutral with a black crib. These narrowed options presented us with the Larkin. We loved its sleek, simple lines and more modern silhouette. We were also attracted to its more approachable price point, since cribs can get expensive quickly, and the fact that it has an optional toddler bed rail available—which can be purchased at additional cost to extend the crib’s life beyond the baby years.
Buy this if…you’re designing a moody, modern nursery. This black steel crib is design-forward thanks to its powder-coated dark rails—yet still looks soft enough for any baby’s room thanks to a gentle arch design.
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was on time and they were able to leave the heavy box in our garage, our preferred point of drop off. Setup was a bit more time-consuming since the crib is able to convert in eight different ways from bassinet to toddler bed. In the end, once we determined which crib function we wanted to have the Yuzu at, the setup went seamlessly.
Why did you choose this crib? Ultimately, we chose Babyletto’s Yuzu crib for its versatility—being able to grow with our child from infant to toddler is a big bonus, especially since even the most standard cribs are larger investment pieces when it comes to baby furnishings. Secondly, we love this crib’s natural finish and style paired with rounded edges and arched feet. Lastly, we appreciate that the Yuzu is portable, with removable, locking caster wheels in each stage, which make moving it from our bedroom to the nursery even easier.
Buy this if…you love having options. It can transform into a bassinet, midi crib, midi toddler bed, midi daybed, full-size crib, full toddler bed, full daybed, and junior bed. This eight-stager has got you and your growing baby covered.
How was the delivery and setup? Delivery was easy-breezy. We’ve received all three boxes for this 3-in-1 convertible crib (mini crib, full size crib and toddler bed) in one shipment, which was convenient. My husband and I put the crib together ourselves and it was easier than expected! All of the conversion kits are included as well, which makes it easy to transition the piece at every stage.
Why did you choose this crib? We wanted a crib that could not only grow with our child but was made with safe, non-toxic materials. There are so many options on the market (too many!) and after coming across Nestig, we knew that this would be the best for our baby.
Buy this if…you’re in it for the long-haul. This option comes with a toddler conversion kit (so there’s no need to track one down separately), and the brand’s generous policy includes an 18-year limited warranty.
Our crib testers included a number of editors and contributors, all recently minted
parents of infants. We asked them to choose their top convertible crib picks and rank each one based on a number of key shopping, safety, setup and decor factors. They were tasked with grading each crib’s delivery and setup, and evaluating the pros and cons of each item—assessing factors like assembly, ease of use, product design and overall aesthetic.
Our hunt for the best convertible cribs had our reviews paying attention to these essential elements:
Our editors and contributors experienced each aspect of the crib-buying process: they shopped for, organized delivery, and assembled their cribs themselves. Most importantly, they used these convertible cribs with their families in their own homes—making for a reliable, parent-approved test, from the initial “add to cart” click to everyday use.
Choosing the best crib can be overwhelming. There are so many options out there, and it can be difficult to determine which is best for your baby and your own personal preferences. We chatted with a few experts on the factors you should consider, and also about the different types of cribs you might want to purchase.
By six months, most babies are clocking up to 16 hours of sleep a day. Given that your little one is spending about two thirds of their time in their crib, you’re going to want to make sure that yours meets or exceeds all the safety standards that the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) target for preventing SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Refer to their sites to learn the nitty-gritty, but be sure to consider the following guidelines to start.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Greenguard and Greenguard Gold Certified products when researching baby cribs. For a piece of furniture to receive a Greenguard Certification, it means that the product has met all industry standards for low emissions. Greenguard Gold Certifications are even more rigorous, assuring that a product meets indoor air quality requirements for areas like daycares and hospitals. You can learn more about the certification and what it means for your family here.
Wheeled cribs can be particularly helpful for parents for a variety of reasons. You could be looking to avoid heavy lifting following a C-section, or maybe you’re simply seeking to make the daily transition from one room to the next with baby in tow a bit easier. Willie Larson, RN, is student nurse-midwife and the cofounder of Pregnancy Pathways, a Los Angeles–based pregnancy resource and education company. She personally chose the wheeled Nestig Wave Crib for her child and highly recommends it for anyone else. “What I love about this crib is that it transforms from a bassinet/mini crib to a full size crib to a toddler bed,” she says. “Not only is the design of the crib beautiful, but it’s on wheels so I was able to easily move the bassinet around the house for the first three months of my baby’s life. It also feels great to know that she can have this crib for years to come and we don’t have to purchase three separate pieces.”
(While we haven’t reviewed the Wave Crib, we have reviewed and loved Nestig’s Cloud and Candy cribs. The brand’s great if you’re looking for lightly hued, Scandi silhouettes.)
Safety should come first, but there’s no need to sleep on style, either. Leah Goren, illustrator and founder of The Courts, chose the Stokke Sleepi 3-in-1 crib (reviewed above) for her daughter, Izza, noting how equally multi-functional and “cute” the curvilinear design is. “It felt important to me when investing in a piece like this that it would grow with us,” she explains. “Many people say that mini cribs aren’t worth the spend, because kids will outgrow them in six months. This is generally true, but I wanted it anyway because it just seemed cozier and cuter for a newborn. The Stokke Sleepi is a combo: It starts as a mini crib then converts to a toddler bed and then junior bed.”
Leah also appreciates the versatility that a convertible crib offers. “I’ve come to realize that sleep training and the general logistics of life with a baby are an ever-changing adventure,” she adds. “There were month-long periods where Izza would only sleep with us—not in her crib—and other long stretches where we were traveling or living somewhere else. If I had a regular crib, I’d be feeling like we barely made use of it! Instead, I’m excited to get back home in May when Izza will be almost two and we’ll set it up as a toddler bed for the first time.”
Planning a trip with your kiddo and troubleshooting your travel crib options for the road? Some cribs and pack-and-plays are specific to infants. Others, like the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, are designed to grow with your baby from those early newborn days up until age three. Leah splits her time between her business in Borrego Springs and her home base in Los Angeles, and opted for the BabyBjorn travel crib for Izza’s cozy trailer sleep space. Available in dark green, black, and silver, the OEKO-TEX-certified travel crib arrives with a mattress and transport bag, and is suitable until age 3 with no upper weight limit. (Just be sure to stop using it when your child is able to climb out of it on their own.) An organic fitted sheet for the travel crib is sold separately.
Girl Beds “It wasn’t a hard decision because I liked the look and I trusted their products,” she explains. “The BabyBjorn bouncer and carrier were so much better than any others we tried. Some of my favorite memories are waking up in the morning with bright desert light coming through the curtains and making breakfast at the little table.”