The 5 Best Mini Cribs

Why You Might Like a Mini Crib

As the name suggests, mini cribs are smaller versions of standard-sized cribs. They can be convenient for moving from room to room, or if space is tight in your baby’s nursery or in your bedroom. Experts recommend that babies sleep in their parents’ room but in their own sleeping space, such as a bassinet or crib, for the first 6 months to 12 months, and if you don't have much space in your bedroom then a mini crib could be the way to make this work. A mini crib could also be a good solution if you have twins or triplets and you need to fit multiple cribs in the nursery, or if you have older children and need all of their cribs and beds to fit in the one room. For some Pampers Parents, a mini crib simply made sense because it has a smaller footprint and does just as good a job as a bigger crib. Some mini cribs can even be reconfigured into a toddler bed or single bed later on. You could get years of use out of it just as you could with a regular crib that's convertible.

What to Look for When Choosing a Mini Crib

When it comes to choosing the right mini crib for you and your little one, consider the following features:

• Crib size. Check that the crib is not too big or too small for your needs. Review the manufacturer's guidelines and limits for child weight, length, and age to get an idea of how much use you will be able to get out of the mini crib.

• Mattress size. Some mini cribs come with a matching mattress, while other manufacturers sell the right size mattress separately. In some cases, you may have to purchase the mattress from another retailer. It's important that the mattress fits the crib perfectly to keep your baby safe, so you'll want to make sure that you can get your hands on the right size mattress easily.

• Bedding size. Because mini cribs are not the “standard” crib size, consider how easy it will be to find tightly fitted bottom sheets for the mattress. It might be worth checking online or with a local retailer to hunt for fitted sheets for the mini crib mattress you plan to buy.

• Mattress height adjustability. Does the mini crib allow you to move the mattress setting to a lower level as your baby grows? You may need to lower the mattress height as your baby learns to sit, and then again before your baby learns to stand, to prevent your baby being able to pull himself up and over the rails. All babies develop at their own pace, so you’ll have to keep an eye on your baby’s progress.

• Transportability. Think about whether you’ll be keeping the crib in just one spot, or whether you plan on traveling with it or moving it from room to room. If you need it to, does the product fold down? Will it fit in the trunk of your car when folded? Does the mini crib come with wheels?

• Ease of storage. If you’re not using the crib all the time at home, can you simply fold it down and store it? Or, can you disassemble it between uses? How easy is it to reassemble?

• Slats or mesh sides. Three out of five mini cribs on our list are designed with slats, but two of them, including the top rated model, have breathable mesh sides. Mesh eliminates the risk of your baby’s hand getting caught between slats, but slats give the mini crib a more traditional look. If you go for one with mesh sides, check if the fabric is removable and machine washable.

• Color and design. As you’ll be looking at the mini crib often, you want a color and design that is pleasing to your eye and perhaps matches your home’s decor. Our list includes traditional-style white mini cribs, as well as mini cribs in more modern colors like black, navy blue, and teal. Pampers Parents also noted that quality and sturdiness were important when choosing a mini crib.

• Price. A mini crib doesn’t have to break the bank, and more expensive does not necessarily mean better. The top mini crib on our list is also the most affordable, coming in at around $100.

Safety Considerations When Buying a Mini Crib

Beyond the features listed above, always factor in safety when choosing a mini crib. Here are some of the most important safety considerations:

• The slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart

• The crib should not have decorative cut-outs in the headboard, as these can pose a strangulation risk if something gets caught on them

• The mini crib’s corner posts should be completely flush with the end panels.

When you have your mini crib at home and in use, follow these safety guidelines:

• Make sure the mini crib is assembled according to the instructions

• Regularly check that there are no loose screws or bolts, and that there are no broken slats or chipped paint

• Lower the mattress as your baby grows so that she can’t pull herself up and crawl over the top of the rails

• In the first 12 months of your baby’s life, always keep the crib free of things like pillows, blankets, quilts, loose bedding, bumper pads, and toys, and always place your baby to sleep on his back. All this helps create a safe sleep environment for your little one and reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

For even more on safe sleep for your baby, read our safe sleep do’s and don’ts.

The 5 Best Mini Cribs

These are the best mini cribs as voted by hundreds of Pampers Parents, along with the pros and cons of each model:

Why pick this one? The great thing about this mini crib is that it grows with your baby. Until your baby reaches 15 pounds, you can use the crib in the bassinet mode, keeping it next to your bed if you wish. Afterward, the crib can be transformed into the “sleeper mode,” in which your baby’s mattress is at floor level. It’s suitable to use this mode until your baby weighs 35 pounds (or about 1 year old). One big downside of the sleeper mode is that you will have to bend down quite far to pick your baby up, which might be hard on your back. In the bassinet mode, the height of the bassinet itself is adjustable. The breathable mesh sides make it easy for you to see and check on your baby. This mini crib includes a waterproof mattress pad and a machine washable mattress cover. Assembled mini crib size: 35.4 x 24.8 x 26.4 inches

Price*: about $101.14 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? The second most popular mini crib has a more classic look than the Simmons version, which was voted as number one. According to the manufacturer, the crib is made of sustainably sourced solid New Zealand pine. This mini crib has the traditional wooden slats, but comes in fun colors like pale teal, pink, and dove gray. It's also available in darker colors like black and navy blue as well as the traditional white version. This mini crib comes with caster wheels, so you can more easily move the crib from room to room. There are two mattress height settings. One nice feature is that the crib can be folded down, which is convenient for storage or for transporting in the trunk of your car. Not many cribs on this list can be folded down like this. Although this crib comes with a “pad,” Pampers Parents said this was far too thin, and that you’ll need to buy a mattress separately to ensure your baby’s comfort.

Assembled mini crib size: 39.2 x 25.7 x 36 inches Price*: about $269 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? Like the Babyletto, this mini crib is made of New Zealand pine, but it has a more imposing design. It comes in chestnut and black, and the curved top and feet give it a classic look. The absolute best thing about this 4-in-1 mini crib is that it can grow with your baby. It has four adjustable mattress positions, and it converts to a mini toddler bed, daybed, and then a twin-size bed. Keep in mind that the toddler bed conversion kit and twin bed conversion kit are both sold separately, so you’ll be spending more if you’d like to keep using the mini crib in these ways. The mattress is also sold separately, adding to the overall cost. If you like the look of the Kalani, you might also want to get the matching three-drawer or six-drawer dresser. Unfortunately, the Kalani product line doesn’t come with a diaper changing table. If the grandparents have a more traditional looking home, and you’re wanting a mini crib for their place, this one could definitely be a good option! Assembled mini crib size: 40 x 28.63 x 38.13 inches

Price*: about $313 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? As the name suggests, beyond being just a mini crib this product is convertible to a day bed or kid-size sofa, and then a twin bed with or without a footboard. To convert the mini crib into a twin bed, you’ll need to buy the conversion kit separately. This mini crib's classic design is offered in many different colors and finishes, including white, French white, cherry, gray, and black. It’s made of New Zealand pine. To get longer use out of this mini crib, you can use the three different mattress height settings, lowering the mattress before your baby begins to sit and then stand. If you’re looking for a 4-in-1 mini crib, this one could be the way to go. This mini crib doesn’t come with a mattress, but you can buy the mattress from the same brand to ensure you get the perfect fit. Assembled mini crib size: 39 x 23 x 36 inches

Price*: about $144.38 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

Why pick this one? Rounding out the top five is this BreathableBaby mini crib, which combines a New Zealand pine frame and breathable mesh sides. As the manufacturer suggests, having the wood frame makes the crib nice and sturdy, and having the mesh sides prevents an arm getting trapped between slats, or a pacifier being thrown out the side of the crib. You might find that this crib offers the best of both worlds. The product comes with a one-inch thick mattress (which is thinner than most of the other mattresses mentioned on this list) and matching sheets. If you would prefer a thicker mattress, you’ll need to buy this separately. The feet of this mini crib angle out just slightly, so beware of this potential tripping hazard. According to the manufacturer, you can use this product for about your child’s first two years, as it has a maximum height limit of 35 inches. Keep in mind that this mini crib only has two mattress height settings. Assembled mini crib size: 27.5 x 40.5 x 36.5 inches

Price*: about $299.99 on Amazon.com

Pampers Parents pros and cons:

The Bottom Line

Whether the mini crib will be used for a smaller space at home, or to keep at Grandma’s in place of a portable crib, we hope you’ve found the right one on this list. If you’re also browsing bassinets and regular cribs before making a final choice, then check out our lists of the best bassinets and the best baby cribs.