Best Convertible Cribs, Lab-Tested and Reviewed

How long do you hope to rely on your convertible crib? This will help guide your choice among the handful of convertible crib types that are available. 

A crib that converts from mini or bassinet size up to a full-sized bed will give your family more years of use than one that transitions from a standard crib to a toddler bed. The different types of convertible cribs—2-in-1, 3-in-1, 4-in-1, all the way up to the 8-in-1—aren’t standardized; one brand’s 2-in-1 may convert from a mini to a standard crib while another may size up from standard crib to full. 

For that reason, it’s more helpful to define the various types of beds offered by convertible cribs. 

Bassinet: These are small beds for the youngest babies, from newborns to about 4 months old. They’re small enough to fit in a parent’s bedroom, often directly next to the parent’s bed itself. Bassinets are not standard-sized or even -shaped but usually range from 30 to 33 inches long by 15 to 18 inches wide. Convertible cribs with a bassinet size are uncommon, and none of the cribs we tested have this option. 

Mini crib: These compact cribs are usually about two-thirds the size of a regular crib, measuring around 24 inches wide by 38 inches long, but because there are no federal regulations that standardize the size, some mini cribs may come in different dimensions. 

It’s easy to find sheets for mini cribs, but be sure to double-check the dimensions before purchasing. It’s important for sheets to fit snugly around a crib mattress because loose sheets are a suffocation risk. For the best fit, CR recommends buying mini crib sheets directly from the crib manufacturer. 

Full-sized crib: These must have internal dimensions of 28 inches wide by 52⅜ inches long, plus or minus ⅝ inch, as regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

Toddler bed: Toddler beds use crib mattresses, but unlike a crib, the child should be able to access and leave the crib on their own. The bed may have a rail that extends all the way around the mattress while leaving a gap so the toddler can scramble in and out, or they may have one side without a rail, similar to a regular bed. Many of the cribs we tested feature toddler bed conversion options, including the Pottery Barn Emerson, Pottery Barn Kendall, Namesake Abigail, and the West Elm Mid-Century 4-in-1. 

Daybed: These typically have rails around three sides and leave a fourth, long side open, similar to a sofa. Some convertible cribs convert to twin-sized daybeds, while others convert to daybeds that use the crib mattress. 

Full-sized bed: Yes, like for grown-ups! Cribs that convert to full-sized beds can take kiddos from infancy to adolescence (or longer). Full-sized beds measure 54×75 inches.