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If you have a baby, then you need a crib. Now you just have to decide which one to buy and whether a convertible crib is worth the cost. The best part about convertible cribs is that they grow with your baby. Once your little one is big enough to sleep in a crib, you know you’re going to need one with high sides, so they can’t climb out. As your toddler gets older – and bigger – you’re going to need to transition to a big boy or big girl bed. Having a convertible crib that becomes a daybed is a good choice because then your tot has the security of those bars on one side, but the open side helps ease them into a real big bed – a twin-sized bed. And convertible cribs worth their cost eventually convert into twin-sized beds. So, how do you know which one is the best for your babe? Let’s go over the top choices and why they’re so popular with parents everywhere.

BEST OVERALL | DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib

DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib

DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib

The DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib lets you transition from crib to toddler bed to day bed to full-size bed. That means that this bed can take your little mini-me from toddler to a teen at a relatively affordable price. The only catch is that you have to buy the conversion kits separately. So, to start, you get a crib with strong sustainable pine wood that’s been finished in an espresso paint. Everything used in this crib is non-toxic, so you know your baby will be safe. You’ll have to buy a mattress separately, but any standard sized crib mattress should work. For the first few years, you may also want to invest in a mattress pad. Once your tot is ready to move on to the toddler bed, you can buy the kit and set it up so that the crib remains pretty much the same, but it has a lower bar on half of one side. This keeps your kid from tumbling out at night, but it’s still easy to climb into. As your little one gets older, they can graduate to the daybed with only one rail on the back side. Eventually, your child can sleep in their own big-kid bed that’s full-sized, which means it can carry over into their teenage years. As a toddler bed and the daybed, the mattress is low enough to the ground for a little one to climb in and out of easily. There is some assembly required, but it’s easy enough. The MSRP is $169.98 for the DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib, but be sure to check the current DaVinci Kalani 4-In-1 Convertible Crib here.

BEST DESIGN | Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer

Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer

Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer

The gorgeous design of the Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer might be enough to sway you to buy it. The added changing table could be the deciding factor, too. The crib platform is adjustable, so you can have it a little higher when your baby is young, and as they grow, you can adjust it a little lower to prevent any accidental spills over the rail. But, it’s recommended to still invest in a really good baby monitor, like the Nest Cam, just to give yourself that extra peace of mind. Once your kid is toddler age, you can get the conversion kit to remove one rail and replace it with a smaller half rail. This smaller rail helps prevent your tot from rolling out of bed while asleep, and it offers a bit more security as they get used to sleeping outside of a crib. When your little one is ready, you can remove the toddler rail and they’ll be sleeping in a daybed. Just one more step and your kid will be sleeping in his or her very own full-sized bed. The changing table is useful for when your baby still needs diaper changes, but once that’s done and you convert this crib to a regular bed, the changing table can become a nightstand with its three drawers and top shelf. It’s one of the best-designed convertible cribs on the market. Although it’s a little pricier than regular cribs, and even some of the other convertible cribs out there, the design and added changing table might make it worth it for you. The MSRP for the Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer is $399.99, but be sure to check the current Stork Craft Portofino 4-in-1 Fixed Side Convertible Crib and Changer here.

EASIEST TO USE | Graco Benton Convertible Crib

Graco Benton Convertible Crib

Graco Benton Convertible Crib

The Graco Benton Convertible Crib is a 5-in-1 bed that converts from crib to toddler bed, and then to a daybed, and then to a full-sized bed with just a headboard, or the headboard and footboard. All you need is a conversion kit for the regular sized bed. One of the great things about this crib is that it has an adjustable mattress “floor.” When your baby is still very little, you can set the mattress height a bit higher to make it easy for you to reach him or her. Once they’re toddler size and age, just lower the mattress height, which will make it difficult for your little tot to reach the top of the crib – so no accidental tumbles over the top. Once your toddler is ready to go rail-free, just remove one side of it and they have a low bed just for them. As your toddler gets older and wants a more big-kid bed, you can raise the height of the mattress, or invest in a new mattress, to make a daybed. Finally, get a conversion kit to make this into a regular bed for your kid or teen. It’s not only easy to convert for each stage, it’s also quite easy to assemble. The crib itself is quite sturdy, and perhaps the easiest thing about this crib is making the decision to buy it: It’s one of the most affordable convertible cribs available. The MSRP is $139.99 for the Graco Benton Convertible Crib, but be sure to check the current Graco Benton Convertible Crib here.

MOST VERSATILE | Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Convertible Crib

Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Convertible Crib

Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Convertible Crib

When comparing the Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Convertible Crib to others like it, it’s hard to see immediately why this one is the most versatile of all. After all, most convertible cribs convert to at least four different beds (and really, the 5-in-1 convertible cribs are still just 4-in-1 with the option to use a footboard). This convertible crib offers four different mattress positions, though, while others only offer two or three. When your baby starts using this crib, you’ll want to start the crib out with the highest mattress level to make it easy for you to reach your baby. Soon, though, your little one is going to grow and begin to pull himself or herself up on those rails and safety can become a concern. At that point, you’ll want to drop the mattress height by a notch. This will keep your tot safe as they grow. Keep dropping the mattress height until your toddler is ready for the next stage: toddler bed. Add the toddler half-rail and your little kid will feel more like a big kid, but with the security of that mini rail. Eventually, you can drop that mini rail, position the mattress a little higher and your big kid will be sitting tall in a daybed. When you and your kid are ready, just buy a universal bed frame and convert the daybed into a full-sized regular bed. Add a different mattress and – voila! – you have a bed to take them from elementary school to high school. The MSRP of the Dream On Me Ashton 5-in-1 Convertible Crib is $163.50, but be sure to check the current Dream On Me Ashton 5 in 1 Convertible Crib here.

BARGAIN BUY | Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib

Not every parent wants the crème de la crème of convertible cribs, and that’s where the Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib comes in to play. You aren’t going to find many extras with this crib, and it won’t convert into a full-sized bed or anything, but it will take your baby to toddler years and somewhat beyond. The simple design and clean lines of this crib will work well in any nursery, and it comes in seven different colors. The mattress height is adjustable to four different levels, and when the time comes, this crib converts to a toddler bed, and then a daybed. Like all the others, you’ll have to buy a conversion kit, but at the price of this convertible crib, you’re likely to be able to afford the kits by then. The finish used is non-toxic, and it seems to be a quality paint job that doesn’t easily chip. Assembling it is easy, and converting it is, too. This Union crib is sturdy, comes in several colors, converts to toddler bed and then a daybed, and best of all, it’s one of the most affordable convertible cribs on the market, giving you more room in your budget for other essentials like a great baby stroller. The MSRP is $109 for the Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib, but be sure to check the current Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib here.

BOTTOM LINE

Face it: Your baby is going to get bigger. Sure, your little one needs a crib – for now. Eventually, they’re going to need a real bed, and one of the best ways to transition is to get a convertible crib. The best convertible cribs come with adjustable mattress heights, the ability to convert to a toddler bed with a mini rail, and then a daybed with a higher mattress level. Some even convert to full-sized beds, so theoretically, you only ever have to buy one bed for your kid for as long as they live in your home. And all these convertible beds here are worth the cost. But if you’re also looking for more variety, check out our Best Baby Cribs right here!