Getting a good night’s sleep becomes almost impossible after a baby enters your life. It can, however, be done. All you need is a quality crib. If you want your baby – and yourself – to sleep for more than an hour or two a night, you should avoid purchasing the generic, inexpensive cribs offered by your local supermarket.
Instead, you should go with a crib produced by a recognized brand with a proven record of excellence. We’re going to be looking at five such cribs today. Read on to secure a night of unbroken sleep for both you and your baby!
Comparison Chart
Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib (Pebble Gray) Solid Pine and Wood Product Construction, Converts to Toddler Bed, Day Bed, and Full Size Bed (Mattress Not Included)
Baby Crib Reviews
1. Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib
There are plenty of 5-in-1 convertible cribs on the market and we would advise new parents against purchasing the vast majority of them as their designers tend to focus on quantity over quality, which leads to a “jack of all trades, master of none” sort of situation. The 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib from Dream On Me, however, is the exception to the rule.
Product Highlights
The Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib can be turned into a toddler crib and a full-size adult bed, so it could conceivably see your newborn through their entire childhood and into their twenties. A four-position mattress support system allows the mattress to be raised and lowered according to the preferences of you and your child, which you’ll appreciate if you have almost broken your back bending over to reach into a crib in the past.
What’s to like about the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib
A lot of cribs are available in only one color option and, as a result, end up clashing with the design and layout of most rooms they are placed in. With the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Convertible Crib, however, that won’t be an issue.
This crib is available in a multitude of unique colors, including New Espresso and Steel Grey. Prior to its release, the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Convertible Crib was tested for lead and other toxic substances and was deemed in compliance with the standards set by ASTM International.
What’s not to like about the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib
It’s difficult to find issues with the actual performance of the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Convertible Crib, but many who have purchased it have complained about how difficult it is to assemble. Should you purchase this crib, you’re going to have to clear your afternoon, and maybe even your evening, so you can properly assemble it.
PROS
- Multiple color options
- ASTM compliant
- Assembly tools included
CONS
- Difficult to assemble
- Difficult to convert
- Scratches easily
2. Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib
Another 5-in-1 crib that proves not all 5-in-1 cribs should be avoided is this model from Graco. The Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib comes loaded with features to ensure new mothers and fathers get the most out of all five conversions as they navigate parenthood.
Product Highlights
The obvious attraction of the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib is its ability to convert into multiple beds, its five modes being a traditional crib, a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-size adult bed with or without a footboard. Whether you choose to use the footboard or not, you will appreciate the bed’s classic arched headboard, which blends the elegance of the past with contemporary design standards for a unique look that will add some style to your baby’s slumber.
What’s to like about the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib
The Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib can reach multiple mattress heights. With three mattress support positions in total, you will have little trouble finding a comfortable depth for your baby.
In order to minimize the risk of factory errors leaving you out of pocket, Graco promises a one-year limited warranty with every purchase of this crib, so you shouldn’t have any issues obtaining a repair or replacement should something go wrong.
What’s not to like about the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib
If you decide to purchase the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib, you should consider purchasing it in-store rather than online as some parents who have done the latter have reported their crib being damaged in shipping.
PROS
- One-year limited warranty
- 3-position mattress support
- Multiple color options
CONS
- May be damaged in shipping
- Difficult to assemble
- Scratches easily
3. Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
If you don’t have the need or desire for a crib with five conversions but still want something with more versatility than the average crib, you should give careful consideration to this model from Union.
Product Highlights
The Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib features, unsurprisingly, three different conversions. While intended to be used primarily as a traditional crib for a newborn baby, it can also be relied upon as a daybed and a toddler bed, so it will grow as your child grows. Like any quality crib, the Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib meets and exceeds all relevant standards set by ASTM International and the US CPSC. Its non-toxic finish means it can be installed in the bedrooms of babies of all ages and parents of all levels of paranoia.
What’s to like about the Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Any crib intended to grow with its owner needs to be durable enough to last a couple of years and, of course, withstand the dreaded terrible twos. That’s why Union made sure to construct its 3-in-1 Convertible Crib using sturdy New Zealand pine, which is resistant to knocks and bumps. Weighing in at 39.5 pounds, this crib is lightweight when compared to similar cribs of its size and can be moved from room to room with little difficulty.
What’s not to like about the Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
While this crib can indeed be converted into a daybed and a toddler bed, Union really doesn’t make it easy and forces parents to purchase the necessary conversion kit separately.
PROS
- New Zealand pine construction
- Lightweight design
- Adjustable mattress height
CONS
- Conversion kit not included
- Paint chips
- Shorter than similarly priced cribs
4. Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib
If you have a little bit of extra money to spend in your search for the best baby crib, you should certainly consider going with the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib. The product of one of the most trusted and beloved brands in the industry, the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 offers almost everything a new parent may need to ensure their child sleeps through the night.
Product Highlights
Although the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib doesn’t offer as many conversions as some of the other cribs listed in this article, it does offer more than most rival cribs and executes each one with a level of perfection and attention to detail rarely seen in multi-function models. Parents who purchase the Emery 4-in-Crib can use it as a traditional crib, as well as a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-size bed.
Along with its multiple conversions, the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 offers a number of mattress support positions and can be set to any of its three different heights with ease.
What’s to like about the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib
As well as being one of the most practical and technically sound multi-function cribs on the market, the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 is one of the most visually pleasing.
With its stylish curved headboard and airy slates, it can be added to any room without risk of clashing with the surrounding decor. To further the interior design capabilities of this crib, Delta Children manufactures it in a number of different colors, ranging from White to Dark Chocolate.
What’s not to like about the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib
As a consequence of its many features and the reputation of its manufacturer, the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib will set you back quite a bit more than you would probably like to spend. Generally selling for just under $200, it is the single most expensive crib to be featured in this article.
PROS
- Multiple color options
- Curved headboard
- ASTM compliant
CONS
- Expensive
- Noisy
- Paint chips
5. DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Another crib that rests on the higher end of the price spectrum is the Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib from DaVinci. If you have the room in your budget for an expensive crib but the previous model from Delta Children didn’t interest you, this may be the way to go.
Product Highlights
Like every other crib featured in this article, the DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is so much more than a traditional crib. While it can be used as your baby’s bed during infancy, it can also be converted into a daybed and a toddler bed, so you won’t have to drop cash on a new bed when your baby becomes too big for this one.
For the sake of portability, DaVinci fitted this crib with a set of detachable wheels, so it can be moved around your house or apartment with ease.
What’s to like about the DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
The DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib meets and exceeds all standards set by ASTM International and the US CPSC. It is even GREENGUARD Gold Certified, having been screened for a total of 306 VOCs and more than 10,000 chemicals. Its natural construction features famously durable 100% New Zealand pine.
What’s not to like about the DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
Although it sells for about $10 less than the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib, the DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is still pretty expensive and maybe a financial impossibility for some new parents.
PROS
- ASTM compliant
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- New Zealand pine construction
CONS
- Expensive
- Conversion kit not included
- Paint chips
Baby Crib Buyer’s Guide
The crib in which your baby spends their nights will have a major impact on how they develop, so it’s important that you choose one that matches the shape and size of your new arrival’s body. Along with your baby’s body type, there are a number of other factors that should influence your final decision and you’ll find them outlined below.
Types of cribs
The crib is a very broad term with a number of different products falling under its umbrella. Obviously, there is the traditional full-size crib, which is stationary and intended to be installed in the nursery and never moved beyond it. All new parents should have one such crib to act as their primary crib, but could also benefit from purchasing a convertible crib.
Convertible cribs are generally a little smaller than their more traditional alternatives and boast the ability to transform into daybeds, toddler beds, and sometimes even full-size beds. Many brands also manufacture portable cribs, which are designed for easy transportation and are a great choice for hotel rooms and Grandma’s house.
Crib mattress dimensions
If your chosen crib didn’t include a mattress – or the mattress it included was subpar – you should familiarize yourself with the various crib mattress dimensions before dropping cash on one. The standard full-size crib requires a mattress of about 27 by 52 inches if your baby is to enjoy maximum comfort.
A mini crib, which is quite a bit smaller than the average crib, requires a mattress of 24 inches by 38 inches. Regardless of your chosen crib, you should always look for a mattress with a depth of at least 2 inches as anything less will put a strain on your baby’s neck and back.
Safety standards
As a new parent, you have a responsibility to ensure everything in your baby’s nursery complies with contemporary health and safety guidelines, your chosen crib included. If a crib boasts GREENGUARD Gold Certification, parents can rest easy knowing that it has been rigorously tested to ensure it has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission levels.
Similarly, if a crib has JPMA Certification, it has been approved by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and has been subjected to voluntary testing by ASTM International, which is one of the leading names in independent product testing.
Colors
A growing number of brands manufacture their cribs in a variety of colors, so style-conscious new parents shouldn’t have any trouble finding a high-quality model that matches the rest of the furniture throughout their home.
The vast majority of contemporary cribs feature an espresso finish as their default design, so if you order your crib online you’ll most likely receive the espresso color unless you clearly request otherwise
Warranty
Since most quality baby cribs will set you back upwards of $100, it’s important that you choose a model with a worthwhile and easy-to-invoke warranty. Many manufacturers back their cribs with a six-month warranty, which is acceptable but nowhere near as generous as the one-year limited warranty promised by some other names in the industry.
Because they are generally intended to be used for longer than the standard crib, convertible cribs usually feature warranties of somewhere between one year and three years, with certain models even offering lifetime coverage.
Baby Crib FAQs
What should I look for in a crib?
While the specific needs of new parents and their offspring will vary on a case by case basis, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind when searching for the right crib for your nursery. You should be sure to choose a crib that meets and exceeds the aforementioned safety standards and is free of potentially harmful materials such as latex, which your child may have an undiagnosed allergy to.
Your chosen crib should feature multi-position mattress supports so you can adjust the base height as your baby grows and learns to stand. As a new parent, you’re probably going to have a couple of different pieces of nursery furniture that require assembly, so try to find a crib that doesn’t require an entire afternoon to put together and, ideally, comes with all necessary assembly tools included.
What is the standard crib size?
As we mentioned in the Buyer’s Guide section of this article, a standard full-size crib should be fitted with a mattress pad of about 27 inches by 52 inches. A standard full-size crib itself, which we didn’t touch on earlier, comes in at 30 inches by 54 inches.
What is a portable crib?
We discussed portable cribs a little earlier on, but let’s take a moment to look at them in more detail. We mentioned already that portable cribs are often intended for use in hotel rooms and the house of your most frequent childminder, but they are also a good choice for parents who are simply looking for a secondary crib that they can install in their living room or kitchen.
While most portable cribs that are designed for travel are foldable, many intended for use at home instead feature a wheel on each leg, which allows them to be moved from room to room with ease. It is important to remember that a portable crib is not a replacement for a standard full-size crib and should not be used as your baby’s primary crib as it will have neither the size nor comfort necessary to facilitate healthy growth.
How do I assemble a crib?
While each crib will vary when it comes to specific assembly, there are a couple of tips that will prove helpful across the board. If you are assembling a standard full-size crib, make sure you assemble it in the nursery as it will be virtually impossible to move it from one room to another once it has been fully put together. Before you begin the actual assembly process, inspect the box to ensure all parts of the crib are there.
If anything is missing, immediately contact the manufacturer. If, however, all pieces are present, begin assembly by using the stationary rail to connect the headboard to the footboard (unless otherwise advised in the instruction manual).
Once that has been completed, attach the mattress support to the crib’s base. This may be a little challenging if you have a crib with multi-position mattress support, so be sure to consult the instruction manual throughout this part of the process.
Once your crib has been assembled, it is absolutely essential that you check its stability. If you are anything less than fully confident in its soundness, do not place your baby inside it.
How much weight can a crib hold?
The answer to this question will vary based on your chosen type of crib and its manufacturer. Let’s say, however, that you have just finished assembling a standard full-size crib produced by a reputable brand.
The average standard crib has the ability to hold somewhere between 30 to 40 pounds, which is perfect for the first year or so of a child’s life. Convertible cribs tend to be far stronger as they must hold the weight of a toddler and, depending on the number of their conversions, an adult male.
Conclusion
The requirements of babies and new parents are so remarkably complex that it is impossible for us to name any of the cribs examined in this article as the absolute best on the market. We can, however, tell you that it is the Emery 4-in-1 Crib from Delta Children that has the most dedicated following.
This crib boasts a total of four conversions, all of which can be easily alternated between, and is designed to match the decor of virtually any nursery in which it is fitted. Of course, the high price tag of the Delta Children Emery 4-in-1 Crib means it is not a possibility for all new parents.
If you are preparing to welcome a child and would like to save some money in your search for a quality baby crib, we suggest going with the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib. This crib sells for significantly less than its Delta Children alternative but still offers an extra conversion.
Furthermore, the Dream On Me 5-in-1 Ashton Convertible Crib comes packaged with all necessary conversion tools, so you’ll be able to make the most of your purchase from the moment you take it out of the box.