Convertible baby cribs are often brushed off as little more than cheaply-made gimmicks. While we won’t argue that many convertible cribs are primarily novelties with no real comfort or durability, there are a number of models that new parents should seriously consider purchasing for their nursery.
A quality convertible crib can be just as snug and safe as a more traditional model and has the added bonus of doubling as a toddler bed, a changing station, and even as a full-size adult bed. We’re going to be looking at five such convertible cribs in this article.
Convertible Baby Crib Reviews
Comparison Chart
Storkcraft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer, Espresso, Easily Converts to Toddler Bed Day Bed or Full Bed, Three Position Adjustable Height Mattress (Mattress Not Included)
Dream On Me Violet 7 in 1 Convertible Life Style Crib in Black, Greenguard Gold Certified 58x29x39 Inch (Pack of 1)
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit in White, Greenguard Gold Certified , 53.75×29.75×35 Inch (Pack of 1)
Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib (Espresso) Solid Pine and Wood Product Construction, Converts to Toddler Bed, Day Bed, and Full Size Bed (Mattress Not Included)
1. Storkcraft Portofino 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer
Storkcraft has long been one of the most popular names among new parents, particularly those with a lot of room in their budget, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the brand’s Portofino 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer comes highly recommended by experts.
Review
The Storkcraft Portofino 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer can continue to be used as a piece of furniture long after your child has outgrown it. With its multiple color options and pine wood construction, it blends with the decor of almost any room. With a total of four conversions, the Portofino can be used as a traditional crib, a toddler bed, a daybed, or a full-size bed. It also boasts an attached changing station, complete with three built-in drawers and three open shelves.
Because the aforementioned changing station is attached to the crib as opposed to being a conversion option, the whole product is quite large and requires a significant amount of space for comfortable positioning. Selling for over $300, it may prove a bit more expensive than many new parents can afford in the weeks and months after welcoming a new baby.
PROS
- Multiple color options
- Pine wood construction
- 1-year limited warranty
CONS
- Unusually large size
- Expensive
- Difficult to assemble
2. Dream On Me Violet Crib
Dream On Me is one of the most popular names in the world of cribs and has released some pretty impressive models over the years, with the Violet Crib being among them. Read on to find out what separates the Violet Crib from the countless other cribs in its price range.
Review
While most convertible cribs manage three or four conversions, the Dream On Me Violet Crib boasts a baffling seven. Thanks to those seven conversions, it can be relied upon as a crib, a toddler bed, a daybed, a twin bed (with or without a footboard), and a single bed (with or without a footboard). It also offers a four-position mattress support, so you’ll always be able to alter the crib to accommodate your baby’s changing size.
Despite its seven conversions, the Dream On Me Violet Crib sells for less than half the price of the previously examined Storkcraft Portofino 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer. It should be noted that this crib is quite a bit harder to assemble than most other expensive models (and they’re far from easy to assemble themselves).
PROS
- Affordable
- Multiple finish options
- Assembly tools included
CONS
- Difficult to assemble
- Stabilizer and rails not included
- Labels are difficult to remove
3. Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
The vast majority of reviewers in the world of mother and baby equipment hold Babyletto in particularly high regard, with some going as far as to declare it the most trustworthy name in the industry. While its status as the number one manufacturer in the game is debatable, nobody can deny that the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib certainly puts the brand a couple of steps closer to the title.
Review
The first thing you’ll notice about the Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib is its sleek design. With its almost impossibly smooth finish and flawless paint job, this is arguably the perfect piece of furniture for the modern nursery. With three different conversions, it can be used as a traditional crib, a toddler bed, and a daybed, and its all-spindle sides ensure your baby remains snug and warm yet visible from all angles.
As a consequence of Babyletto’s reputation, the Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib will set you back quite a bit. Selling for close to $400, this crib should definitely be avoided if you’re on a tight budget. If you do decide to go with this crib over a less expensive model, you may have to purchase it in-store as opposed to online, as Babyletto only ships to the 48 contiguous states of America.
PROS
- Three conversions
- Multiple color options
- New Zealand pine construction
CONS
- Expensive
- Limited shipping
- Difficult to assemble
4. Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib
If you want a multitude of conversions rather than the traditional three that most convertible cribs offer, you might want to consider the Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib from Graco. While it doesn’t offer quite as many conversions as the Dream On Me Violet Crib, it boasts a total of five and could conceivably see your child right into adulthood.
Review
This offering from Graco trumps the vast majority of convertible cribs (at least in terms of versatility) and it does it for well under the average price. Rarely selling for more than $100, cash-conscious new parents should give this crib careful consideration.
Its five conversion options mean it can be used as a traditional crib, a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-size bed with or without a footboard. When converted into a full-size bed, the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib features a timeless arched headboard that ensures it looks right at home in both classic and contemporary bedrooms.
Before you purchase the Graco Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib, you should be mindful of the fact that many new parents have reported it being quite delicate. Because of this, it may be a good idea to buy your model in-store as opposed to online so as to minimize the risk of the crib being damaged during transportation. Much like Babyletto with its Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, Graco only ships its Benton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib to the contiguous states of America.
PROS
- Five conversions
- Affordable
- 1-year limited warranty
CONS
- Delicate
- Bed frame not included
- Limited shipping
5. Storkcraft Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
With its Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, Storkcraft marks its second appearance on this list. This model is quite similar to the brand’s 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer, but is slightly scaled back to achieve a more compact design and a lower price tag.
Review
When discussing the Storkcraft 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Changer, we mentioned that its pine wood construction allows it to be used exclusively as a piece of furniture if so desired. The same can be said of the brand’s Tuscany 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, which boasts the same pine wood construction and optional espresso paint job.
Unlike its predecessor, however, this crib does not feature an attached changer, which means it is smaller and requires less space, so you should definitely choose this model if you want a Storkcraft crib but don’t have a particularly large nursery.
When being used as a crib, this product offers a three-position mattress support and can also be utilized as a toddler bed, a daybed, and a full-size bed. It should be noted that this crib does not come packaged with all necessary conversion tools.
PROS
- 4 conversion options
- Multiple color options
- Compact design
CONS
- Conversion tools not included
- Difficult to assemble
- Limited shipping
Conclusion
Each of the five convertible cribs examined in this article has its own unique set of features, so it’s a challenge to label one as better than the others. That being said, the model with the potential to satisfy the largest number of people is Babyletto’s Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib. The product of a brand that understands the importance of quality over quantity, the Hudson boasts three conversions, each one expertly designed and all simple to alternate between.
Though it may set you back more than many other cribs, the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib boasts pine wood construction, which, when combined with its ability to evolve as your baby grows, ensures it remains a fixture of your home for years to come.
If you would rather go with a more affordable convertible crib, we suggest you try the Dream On Me Violet Crib, which executes all seven of its conversions with as close to perfection as a budget model can get. Available for only a little over $100, the Violet Crib takes much of what has made Dream On Me a giant in the industry and makes it available to those who are struggling to stock their nursery with quality equipment.