We manually installed and evaluated 15 different infant cribs before selected these cribs as the finest mix for safety, sturdiness and simplicity of construction.
The value of the crib is another factor to consider; nevertheless, a high-quality bed does not have to cost money.
Why Should You Put Your Faith in Us?
We’ve been evaluating and assessing baby products, such as cribs and nursery furnishings. We test the items ourselves, paying for them with our own money and evaluating them for things like safety, usability, and cost.
The fact that we don’t get paid by the brands we evaluate is another important aspect to remember. There are no “partnerships,” no freebies, and no sponsors. Baby Bargains is your one-stop shop for professional product evaluations of baby products.
Best Overall: Graco Benton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
It’s straightforward to put up, and the Graco Benton crib converts to a full-size bed when your child outgrows it.
When the curved side is used as a headboard and bed rails are purchased separately.
What we like:
- The product was of good quality: There are certain cribs that come with a flat wood board mattress foundation, which we don’t suggest, thus we prefer the metal spring mattress platform.
- Easy to put together: We assembled it in about 45 minutes and thought it was much simpler than most other cribs.
- Color scheme: The ever-popular Pebble Grey color option is one of four available for the Graco Benton. Cheaper cribs tend to only come in two colors: white and brown.
What should be improved:
- Paint may peel off: Take caution while assembling or transporting the Graco Benton crib, since soft wood is used in most low-cost models. When a simple belt buckle is accidently scraped against a crib rail, it might create a mark.
- Service to customers is an area for improvement: Graco is the brand on this crib, however Stork Craft is the manufacturer. Stork Craft is a Canadian firm that specializes in low-cost, imported furniture. While this is admirable, the company’s customer service may be lacking at times. Many customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of timely responses to their parts orders, as well as the delivery of the incorrect item.
Best Baby Crib Splurge: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit
Our top selection for the most luxurious and expensive crib is the Hudson model offered by Babyletto. Here’s an overview:
What we like:
- A sense of the mid-20th century: This robustly crafted cot is a terrific extravagance if you are seeking for a crib as a show piece. Additionally, this crib is available in a two-toned variant, in which the crib spindles are a different color than the base.
- Having a lower profile is also advantageous for parents who are on the petite side. Standard-sized stationary cribs may be difficult to access for those who are shorter than 5’5″. Because the majority of cribs are elevated by a foot or two from the ground and drop-side cribs have been phased out since 2011, it may be difficult for parents who are shorter to place their infant child in a regular crib while the mattress is at the lowest position. Because it is just 34 inches tall and rests so close to the ground, the Hudson makes it much simpler to place and remove the infant from the crib.
- The Greenguard: The VOC emissions from this crib are rather low.
- It came with a kit to turn it into a toddler bed. In most cases, a toddler rail must be purchased separately; however, it is included with this crib.
What should be improved:
- It is not possible to transform it into a full-size bed. Despite Babyletto’s claims, the Hudson can only be used as a toddler bed, not the “3-in-1” configuration it claims to be (the toddler rail is included, which is a nice touch).
- In the end, older youngsters will be disappointed to learn that the Hudson does not convert to a full-size bed.
Best Travel Baby Crib: BABYBJORN Travel Crib Light
BabyBjorn’s Travel Crib Light is our recommendation for the best portable baby crib
A play yard that folds up like an umbrella and can be carried in a tiny case is worth the price, even if it isn’t the most affordable.
What we like:
- It was simple to assemble: The ease of assembly and disassembly was praised by our reviewers, as was the fabric, which they felt was superior than that of other comparable travel cribs. Another bonus is that the portable crib’s mattress is rather thick.
- It’s not heavy: In comparison to those other travel cribs, the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light weighs just 13 pounds.
- Sides with mesh for airflow: The whole design, including the metal rods on the outside and the organic fitted sheet and mattress, was well-liked by our reviewers. An extra layer of padding protects the top of the bag, which can be folded down to 19″ by 23.5″ by 5.5″. There are poles as on a camping tent, therefore the form is distinct from a regular play yard.
What should be improved:
- Legs may be a tripping danger, so pay attention to them. This travel crib’s outside poles protrude from the base at an angle, and if you’re not cautious, you’ll trip over them.
- It’s not the ideal choice for tall parents. Because this portable crib’s mattress lays on the ground, it may be more difficult for parents who are very tall to put their children to bed.
Best Affordable Crib: Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
Designed to resemble the IKEA Gulliver cot, this crib is constructed of New Zealand wood and is our top selection for the finest budget-friendly crib.
What we like:
- Simple to put together: It took us less than 30 minutes to put it together, which is faster than most cribs.
- A wide range of options. Blue and yellow are rare colors for a crib of this price range for the Union. In most cases, there is just one or two color option available for more cheap cribs. However, certain finishes are more desirable than others, and we’ve seen that they’ve ran out at times. Our recommendation is to place an order as soon as you see the finish of your choice in stock.
- This is a well-built crib: Although it is extremely reasonably priced, this crib is of excellent construction; it is both strong and substantial.
- A reputable and trustworthy brand: Million Dollar Baby, a crib importer located in Los Angeles with an excellent track record in terms of safety, is the company that makes the Union crib. We have been researching several manufacturers of nursery furniture, and Million Dollar Baby is one of the ones that comes highly recommended.
What should be improved:
- In certain cases, there are no corresponding toddler rails for certain colors. If you choose one of the less common hues, such as lagoon blue, you won’t be able to locate a toddler rail that is a suitable match. Only white and grey rails are available in the same color family.
- Screws and screw holes that are visible: That doesn’t jeopardize safety; it’s merely an aesthetic concern. This gear is hidden in more costly cribs, but it’s a trade-off for the cheap price.
- Scratches may be made on soft wood: This crib is manufactured from New Zealand wood, which is delicate and may easily scratch. So, be very careful when you take this crib out of the box and put it together. Scratching the crib rail is as simple as scraping a buckle against it.
In addition, the finish on the crib rail is likely to get scratched or worn off if your child who is teething tries to gnaw on it. Although it does not pose a threat to health (the paint used is safe), this has caused over a few parents to express concern. (A cotton rail cover may help with teething.)
If you’ve got a baby in the home, you’re going to have to accept that your crib is going to be scuffed, scraped, and chewed on just like the other of your furniture. “You can either have kids or nice things!” —Dennis Miller).