5 Best Baby Cribs to Maximize Baby Safety and Coziness (2021 Update)

Your little one will spend approximately 14-17 hours per day sleeping, so it’s important to make sure they have a nice place to lay down and rest.

A crib (or cot) is a fantastic choice for bedrooms or nurseries, but how are you meant to choose from the plethora of options out there?

To help you out, we’ve tracked down a collection of the best baby cribs available on today’s market (beside the ikea sniglar crib) and reviewed each and every one of them so that we could put together this guide.

Our Top 5 Picks of Best Baby Cribs

You may learn more about cribs and some frequently asked questions after the review section.

1. Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib (safe wooden structure)

This is a safe and reliable crib with a beautiful aesthetic. We really love its mid-century modern lines, it’s chunky frame and sturdy rails.

Specs and features

We’re also a huge fan of its safety credentials. It’s been screened for over 10,000 chemicals which means that you never have to worry about exposing your little one to harmful preservatives or varnishes.

The Hudson is incredibly adaptive too. Although it’s billed as a crib, it can be quickly converted into a toddler or day bed with the help of a conversion kit that Babyletto have been kind enough to provide as standard.

This conversion kit is incredibly easy to use too. In fact, we found that everything about the Hudson was wonderfully simple to use.

It took us about 60 minutes to build it the first time, but we did spend a long time just admiring the quality of the wood and the playing around with the height settings…

Speaking of which, the height settings are another thing that we really loved about the Hudson 3-in-1 convertible.

There are four of them in total, which allows you to raise (or lower) the mattress to your desired height.

This is great for expanding the lifespan of your crib (by dropping your little one down and making it harder for them to reach the top of the railings).

Being able to adjust the height is also great if your arms are a little short, and you struggle to reach down into most cots – because you can raise the mattress right up and keep your baby within arm’s reach.

Plus, the Hudson is incredibly sturdy. It’s large base, short legs and robust construction make it all-but impossible to tip and we’d feel incredibly safe using it in a dedicated nursery room.

So what didn’t we like? In all honesty, we liked everything about this crib but there are a couple of things that might put you off:

First of all, it is very low to the ground. This is great for adding a bit of extra stability but it’s not so great if you’re tall.

Dads may find themselves bending down quite a lot when they pick their little one up, and people with bad backs are advised to look for something a little taller.

It’s also worth noting that the baby-safe varnish used on this crib isn’t super-strong.

This is probably just because manufacturer has avoided a lot of industrial-style varnishes but that doesn’t change the fact that it will ding (or mark) quite easily.

Reasons to buy

• A sturdy, reliable crib built with high quality materials
• Sleek, modern design makes it a good fit for most nurseries
• Conversion kit comes bundled with the base product

Things you may dislike

• Quite low to the ground
• Can mark quite easily

2. Evolur Julienne 5-in-1 Convertible Crib (Elegant full-size choice)

This one is definitely the most opulent crib to make our list.

Specs and features

Its elegant lines would be right at home in an 18^th century mansion and we absolutely love the all the extra detailing on the legs and frame – particularly in antique bronze.

As you might expect from a crib fashioned in true chic style, Evolur’s Julienne is also incredibly well made.

Unpacking the box, we found that we could feel the quality of the kiln-fired, hardwood frame. As if our fingers knew that they were touching something that would protect and support the baby…

And it is important to understand that safety was obviously one of the main considerations when designing this crib.

It has little extra touches, like keeping the decorative beading on the outside – away from your little one – or keeping the slats rounded, so that there are no sharp edges.

That shows that Evolur really wanted you to feel safe leaving your little one to sleep in this crib.

The Julienne 5-in-1 is a flexible crib too. Under all the hand-carved detailing, there’s a robust frame that offers four different mattress positions so that you can keep your baby safe and avoid trading up for as long as possible.

Speaking of which, we were also thrilled to see that Evolur sell conversion kits for this crib.

That allows you to turn it into a toddler bed, and then a day bed when they’re big enough to sleep safely without side walls.

This is great if you’re looking to make an investment that’ll really go the distance and we think it really helps to mitigate the Julienne’s high price point.

Sadly, there’s still no way of getting around the fact that this is one of the most expensive cribs on today’s market.

Sure, it’s still good value for money, what with the hardwearing materials and unparalleled build quality.

But, whether that’s enough to justify paying a premium price point is for you to decide.

It’s also important to note that the Julienne is a little on the large side.

In fact, it’s approximately 51 inches tall at the headboard and 55 inches wide, you may struggle to fit it in a small nursery.

Still, if you want a stylish and elegant crib that’ll grow with your little one, you can’t get much better than this.

Reasons to buy

• Chic & elegant crib that will stand out in any nursery
• High quality product that’s durable and long-lasting
• Can grow with your little one

Things you may dislike

• Large and pricy
• Conversion kits are sold separately.

3. Union 2-in-1 Convertible Crib (Best Price)

Perfect for parents shopping on a budget, this one is a nice, sturdy crib that offers fantastic value for money.

Specs and features

There’s no getting around the fact that it looks quite plain – it’s simple lines and squared edges make it look quite spartan, and it’s not going to be the centerpiece of your nursery.

But we were very surprised by how robust it was. Straight out of the box, we noticed that the solid wood frame was of a good quality.

This wood has been treated with baby-safe varnish and paint and the whole crib has been manufactured with precision which means that it’s wonderfully simple to put together.

We found that all the screw holes lined up beautifully (which is quite unusual for cribs at this price point) and we had it up and ready in approx. 50 minutes.

In fact, it’s probably one of the easiest builds we’ve ever done so if you’re a single parent or someone without much free time, this is a great choice of crib.

Because it’s situated at a low price point, it’s also a great option for budget conscious parents but that does bring us to the downsides of this particular crib

Unlike a lot of the painted wooden cots we reviewed while writing this guide, we found that the Union 2-in-1 marked very easily.

In fact, we found that we could ding the paint just by bumping it against the wall.

While that not may be a huge concern for careful parents, it is worth considering if you want to resell your crib, or use it for another baby later.

It’s also worth noting that some parents have reported that some of the screws do start to work themselves loose after a few weeks of heavy use.

We really don’t think this is a safety concern because these reports are few and far between, but it is something to keep an eye on.

It’s fair to say that this is one of the best cribs you’ll find at (or around) the $100 mark and it does offer fantastic value for money.

It’s also incredibly easy to build and its simple aesthetic is quite appealing, at least to some of us.

That said, there is always some trade-off when compromising on price, and its worth noting that we reviewed much more durable products while putting this guide together.

Reasons to buy

• A safe and reliable crib for the price
• Fully adjustable so it will grow with your child
• Easy to build

Things you may dislike

• Some report issues with screws de-threading
• Does mark very easily, which may limit its lifespan

4. Million Dollar Baby Classic Abigail 3-in-1 Convertible Crib (metal structure)

Built from solid iron, this crib is a must-have for anyone that’s putting together a vintage-style nursery.

Specs and features

Everything about this crib is elegant and refined; from the gentle curves of its high sides right through to the traditional cast iron joints.

The Abigail 3-in-1 is also one of the most sturdy and stable cribs that we reviewed.

In fact, we found that it took a tremendous amount of weight to tip it and we’d have absolutely no qualms about using it to protect our little ones while they slept.

It’s not all about strength and stability though. We were also really impressed by the straightforward construction process (which took approximately 60 minutes the first time we tried) and the high quality of the material components.

Parents worried about the potential risks of iron can rest easy too:

Every element has been coated in a combination of baby-safe finishes to ensure that there’s absolutely no risk of your little one hurting themselves on this crib.

This crib can also be turned into a day bed using conversion kit which, unfortunately, you need to purchase separately.

Our favorite thing about this iron crib is that it’s a product that’s built to last.

Its iron railings are virtually bulletproof and there’s little to no risk of any part breaking.

It’s the kind of crib that we can see lasting for two, three or even four children (or the sort of crib you could pass down as a family heirloom).

The only downsides? It is one of the heavier cribs on this list so if you plan on moving it from room to room, you might run into some problems.

The Abigail does look quite stark and utilitarian too.

If you’re going for an elegant and refined nursery – inspired by storybooks and fairytales – this crib would be perfect, but it might look a little out of place in a modern space.

Oh, and it is quite a high crib too so if you’re short and/or want something that’s quite low to the ground, there are better options.

Those concerns aside, we’d be hard pressed to pick a more robust crib and we think it’d be a great fit for anyone that loves the style.

Reasons to buy

• One of the most durable and hardwearing cribs we’ve ever seen
• Super-safe thanks to the manufacturers use of non-toxic and baby-safe coatings
• Fantastic value for money

Things you may dislike

• Aesthetic may not suite every parent
• Conversion kit sold separately
• Might not be ideal for small nurseries

5. Carter’s by Davinci Colby 4-in-1 Convertible Crib (cost-effective choice with extra storage)

This is a charming little crib at an incredibly reasonable price point. Its wooden frame is beautifully finished and we were delighted with the overall build quality.

Specs and features

In terms of aesthetic, it is worth noting that the cot slats are flat which might put some parents off, but all the corners and edges are gently rounded which gives the finished crib a sleek and modern feel that we really liked.

It was also very (very) easy to build this crib. The instructions are straightforward, and all the pieces fit together perfectly so you should be able to put it together in around 30-40 minutes.

Well, the time depends on how many cribs you’ve built before, and how handy you are with a screwdriver.

Best of all though? This crib is one of the few good cribs to have a built-in storage drawer.

This wonderful little addition is a great use of space that you can use it to store literally anything – from toys to books or emergency nappies.

Because it runs the full length of the cot, it’s even big enough to store most of your baby’s spare bedding.

Plus, the mattress can be positioned at one of four different heights which gives you a little bit of flexibility as your little one grows.

Sadly the Colby doesn’t convert into a toddler bed straight out the box, which is a little disappointing.

The manufacturer does sell a separate kit that’ll let you make the conversion, but what you get in the box is just a crib.

It’s also important to note that this crib isn’t the sturdiest option we reviewed.

It’s definitely strong enough to protect your little one and it complies with all the relevant CPSC regulations, but we would have some concerns about loading it into a removal truck, or carrying it from room to room.

All in all, it’s fair to say that this crib is a great option for parents who want a simple and straightforward solution.

We absolutely love that Davinci have thought to put in a little bit of extra storage and our overall impression of this crib was that it offered seriously good value for the money, but it does lack a little bit of flexibility.

Reasons to buy

• Simple and elegant design is an ideal fit for modern nurseries
• Easy to build
• Additional storage is incredibly useful

Things you may dislike

• Conversion kit has to be purchased separately
• Not as robust or hard-wearing as some of the other products on this list
• High frame may be problematic for short parents

Do I Really Need a Crib?

Ask yourself this question before making any decisions: is a crib the right choice for you?

There’s a lot of confusion about the best sleeping arrangements for small babies.

Research shows that sleeping in the same bed with your baby can help to keep them happy – and provide some autoimmune benefits – but there are bonuses to putting your baby straight in a crib, or moving them from a co-sleeper into a crib after their first six months.

Cribs are safer and shield your little one from accidents. Cribs also encourage independent sleeping and some studies show that they also improve the quality of your baby’s sleep.

Ultimately the choice is up to you, but as a rule of thumb, we’d recommend cribs for anyone that’s:

But a poor fit for parents that are anxious about leaving their little one in a separate room or babies that cry a lot whenever you’re not around.

Best Baby Cribs Buying Guide (if you are considering other models)

All products in the list are compliant with ASTM international and U.S. CPSC, and designed to withstand babies weighing up to 50lbs.

However, it’s possible that you are not satisfactory about our picks, but you’ll be pleased to know that there are some fantastic options out there.

To help you pick out the very best cribs, we’ve highlighted the things you need to know if you’re going to make an informed choice:

Crib Size

Cribs come in a huge variety of sizes – from sleek little cots, to opulent, 55” tall convertibles.

Sadly, we don’t all have room for a huge crib which is why it’s super important to check the dimensions before you buy.

We’d recommend measuring the space you have available before you start shopping, and then looking for a crib that’s at least 1 or 2 inches smaller (just to make sure you don’t overshoot).

We’d also recommend paying close attention to all three dimensions, particularly if you’re planning to squeeze your crib into a bedroom.

Size of Mattress

You will also need to pay attention to a crib’s internal dimensions.

Most cribs are built to accommodate a standard sized crib mattress (52″x 27.75”) but there are some outliers out there – particularly European cribs or cribs imported from South America.

These cribs are generally built to accommodate slightly smaller mattresses which means that you’ll struggle to get a standard American mattress to fit without bending (which will damage the foam and put your little one at some risk).

Rail Height

It’s also worth considering the rail height when you’re choosing a crib.

High railings are great for a bit of extra safety but there is a bit of a tradeoff – namely that those of us with short arms won’t be able to reach in and interact with our little ones.

Rail Spacing

Rail spacing is another important concern.

Widely spaced rails (or slats) may look slightly more attractive, but they increase the risk of your baby falling out of the crib once they’re able to crawl about on their own.

Closely spaced rails also prevent toddlers from getting their head stuck while exploring their crib.

According to the CPSC guidelines, the gap between rails should never be bigger than 2 3/8 inches (or 6cm). If you can fit a soda can between the slats, you’ll know they’re too big.

Safety Standards

It goes without saying that you’ll want your crib to be nice and safe – particularly if your baby is going to sleep in a separate nursery.

Luckily several consumer bodies have published safety standards that cover everything from the stability of the product, right through to the paints that are used to varnish any wooden parts.

We’d recommend looking for cribs that meet or exceed CPSC or ASTM standards. These standards are drawn up by state bodies which makes them incredibly reliable.

It’s also very tough for crib manufacturers to claim adherence to these standards without having their products vetted properly, so you’re guaranteed to get a crib that’s fit for purpose if the manufacturer advertises full compliance.

Materials

Cribs are a fairly significant investment, so you want to pick one that’s durable, robust and hardwearing.

At the same time, you need your crib to be 100% baby safe which is why we’d advise paying close attention to the materials that your prospective crib is built from.

Wood offers the best compromise between durability and safety.

Metal cribs can also be very safe as long as they’re properly treated but we’d recommend avoiding cribs made of plastic because they’re normally too brittle to stand up to everyday wear and tear.

Pay close attention to the paints and varnishes that are used to finish your crib too.

All cribs are coated in protective layer and it’s important to ensure that the chemicals used are non-toxic because there’s a good chance that your little one will decide to chew their crib at some point.

Adaptability

Speaking of investments, it’s also worth thinking about how long you want your crib to last.

A lot of modern cribs can be transformed into toddler or day beds with the help of a conversion kit, which means that they’ll grow with your baby.

These 3-in-1 style cribs do tend to be a little bit more expensive, but you will save money on replacement beds further down the line.

It’s entirely up to you whether you think that a 3-in-1 cot is worth the higher initial investment but it’s definitely something that’s worth thinking about while you browse.

A lot of parents assume that cribs are normally supplied with a mattress, but most cribs are actually sold without one.

This is because manufacturers want you to be able to choose a mattress that will suit your little one’s preferences.

It’s up to you whether you want to opt for a sprung or foam mattress, but pediatricians recommend something firm for very small babies.

What about drop-down or folding cribs?

You used to be able to buy drop-side cribs, and cribs with folding sides but these products have been declared unsafe by US and EU regulators.

We’d strongly recommend that you avoid these types of cribs because they can pose a risk to your baby’s health.

Things to Consider after Purchasing

Once you’ve selected a crib, there’s a few things that you need to know before you start using it;

• Off-gassing
• Placement
• Stability
• Off-gassing

You know that “new product” smell? Turns out that it’s due to the release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are used to sterilize products before they’re packed away.

There are some health concerns surrounding these VOCs so it’s recommended that you unpack your crib and put it in a well-ventilated space for a few weeks before using it.

This will allow the gasses to dissipate naturally and you should find that the smell disappears.

Placement

It’s also important to put your crib in a safe location, particularly if you’re placing it in a separate nursery.

As a rule of thumb, we’d recommend keeping your crib away from windows, heaters and lights to minimize the risk of untoward accidents.

It’s also important that any furniture near the crib can be securely fastened to the wall so that they can’ fall on your baby while they’re sleeping.

Finally, it’s important to place your crib right up against the wall. Babies are (supernaturally) good at squeezing their fingers into the tiniest of spaces and you want to avoid this at all costs.

Stability

Once you’ve let your crib air out and placed it in a safe space, you’ll need to check that it’s sturdy, and that there are no loose screws.

This can be achieved by shaking the crib in all directions and paying attention to see if there’s any movement in the joints (particularly the legs if they’re attached separately).

The CPSC regulations also recommend re-checking the stability of your crib every month or so just to make sure that nothing has worked itself loose.

Our Thoughts

As you can see, there really is a crib to suit every parent.

We think that the Colby 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Union’s 2-in-1 Convertible Crib are both brilliant options for parents shopping on a budget

We also found some fantastic options for parents looking for a long-lasting investment (like the Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible and the Julienne 5-in-1 Convertible Crib ).

And then there’s Million Dollar Baby’s Classic Abigail which is adaptable, robust and beautifully made.

Ultimately the right crib will depend on your own, individual preferences so make sure you spend some time weighing up the pros and cons of each option and remember to trust your instincts.