10 Cribs That Designer Parents Swear By

A crib is a critical decision in your baby’s nursery and it can feel like an overwhelming one. Whether you’re struggling to decide between a mini crib and a standard-size crib, wondering if a crib that converts to a toddler bed is a must or if you should opt for a crib with storage, or just having difficulty choosing between the many many styles on the market, it can feel like there are more questions than answers. That’s why we wrote a whole guide to buying a crib. And! That’s why we’ve rounded up here the best cribs you can buy — according to designers, editors, bloggers, and moms.

To narrow down your choices, we turned to designers, editors, bloggers, and moms.

• Emma Beryl Kemper is an interior designer based in Brooklyn and the author of House Rules.
• Mikayla Keating is an interior designer and mom based in Idaho.
• Jessica Hartshorn is a senior editor at Parents magazine who has been covering the crib market for more than 20 years.
• Alison Mazurek is a mom of two and the blogger behind 600 Sq Ft and a Baby.
• Dee Ike is the blogger behind Dee Diary and a mom of two in New York City.

Our experts looked a mini cribs, standard cribs with and without storage, and convertible cribs and considered a number of factors, including style, durability, budget, and safety.

“Style-wise, the most important thing is figuring out something that you’re not going to get sick of. Keep it classic,” says Beryl, who adds, “You want something pretty neutral and non-gendered, if you plan on having more kids.” 

Our experts prefer natural wood cribs for durability and suggest avoiding plastic or fabric components, which can easily show wear. And, they add, if you’re longing for a painted finish, read the reviews carefully to check for mention of chipping paint.

They were divided on cribs with storage, which can be more challenging to assemble; convertible cribs, which can make the transition to a big kid bed smoother; and mini cribs, which may save precious square footage, even if it’s only for a few months.

As for budget, while it’s definitely a personal choice, Hartshorn says “a crib is not a place to overspend,” and points out that in Finland, babies famously sleep in a state-issued cardboard box. Her best advice? “If you are inclined to buy the best, stick to a simple crib and buy a really premium mattress.”  

Cribs are subjected to rigorous safety testing before they can be sold. If a crib is for sale today, it will be a safe choice for your child, according to Hartshorn. She says what’s more important for safety is how you put your child to sleep: There should be nothing in the crib but a mattress and crib sheet and your child should always be put down on her back.

Another safety concern are the materials and chemicals used to manufacture and finish furniture. Beryl says she always looks for no VOC finishes for nursery rooms, and her hack for materials safety standards is to enter a California shipping address: The state’s rigorous emissions laws will prevent you from ordering anything that is questionable. Another smart tip: Look for Greenguard certification, which ensures low chemical emissions at different levels.

To take a deeper dive with our crib buying guide — or read on to see our experts’ top picks.