Finding the right mini crib, like other products for your baby, can sometimes be a challenge. It can feel overwhelming with so many cribs to choose from. It’s important to choose the right crib for your needs to ensure you are making a good investment. You wouldn’t want to end up with a crib that doesn’t fit or is missing a key feature you were looking forward to.
So you probably have a lot of questions, such as, “Which crib is right for me?” or, “How do I know I’m choosing the best one?” Luckily for you, we have put together a list of some of the best on the market. This way you don’t have to take time out of your day to figure out what works best – as long as you know some of the basic details you’re wanting, like size, whether you want it to be portable or convertible, and anything else that you feel is most important for your baby.
Keep reading or if you prefer, you can jump straight to our #1 pick here.
Table of Contents
- What Should I Look for When Buying a Mini Crib?
- Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Mini Cribs
- Our Top Picks for the Best Mini Cribs of 2024
- #1: Dream On Me 3-in-1 Casco Mini Crib and Dressing Table Combo (Best Value and Overall)
- #2: Dream On Me 4-in-1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib (Best Convertible)
- #3: Delta Children Portable Mini Crib (Best Portable and Low Cost)
- #4: Bloom Alma Mini Crib (Best for Small Spaces)
- #5: DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib (Best Rocking)
- What’s the Difference Between a Mini Crib and a Regular One?
- What Age Is a Mini Crib Good For?
- What Size Mattress Will I Need?
- Verdict: Your Best Mini Crib
What Should I Look for When Buying a Mini Crib?
There are a few key features of a mini crib that you don’t want to be without. Let’s break it down here and give you some examples of what we mean.
Affordability
A mini crib doesn’t always work for every child until they are ready for a toddler bed. Every baby grows at a different rate, so it would be best to not go with a very expensive one. Luckily, the cribs that we have chosen can fit almost any budget.
Safety
This is always going to be one of the most important things when it comes to anything that you purchase for your baby. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that your child shares a room with you until they are at least 6 months old, and a mini crib allows for that.
Smaller Size
Not many parents have the space for a full-size crib in their bedroom, and this is why a mini crib could be a great option for you. They are perfect for small spaces. Measure the area where you would like the crib to go, so you can see what would fit.
Portability
Many of these cribs have features that make them easy to move around if needed. This includes wheels and the ability to fold it up for transport.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Mini Cribs
We have thoroughly researched many different mini cribs to decide which ones belong on this list. This includes reviews from fellow parents, as well as our own extensive research. You will see that all of these choices are great in their own way. You just have to decide what best fits your personal needs and the needs of your baby.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mini Cribs of 2024
#1: Dream On Me 3-in-1 Casco Mini Crib and Dressing Table Combo (Best Value and Overall)
Size: 29 inches wide, 56.75 inches long
The reason that this mini crib is at the top of our list is that, not only is it the best value for your money, it is also the best overall. It isn’t the most expensive pick, but it is by far the easiest one to choose from. Read on and find out why this is our #1 for your baby.
It Has a Changing Table
This Dream On Me mini crib is the only one on this list that has a changing table. It is the most notable feature and one of the most helpful. If you are looking to purchase a mini crib, the main reason is usually a lack of space. A mini crib that already has this table, along with drawers and shelves for storage, allows you to save even more space and money. You won’t have to buy a separate table for diaper changes while wondering where it’s going to fit. I do recommend a diaper pail, though.
It Is Easy to Assemble
I’m sure there are a lot of parents out there like me, who aren’t very good at putting things together. Dream On Me provides you with all of the tools needed for assembly and the directions are easy to understand and follow. This mini crib will save you the unnecessary headache that you get with putting furniture together, at least in my experience.
There are a few more features that are worth mentioning.
- Converts to a toddler bed or a mini day bed
- Conversion kit available separately for a standalone changing table
- Available in multiple finishes to match your decor
- 3 position mattress support system
- 50 lbs. weight limit
Even though this crib doesn’t have wheels and isn’t easily moved, it sets you up with all that you need for your child to have a safe sleep space, without taking up too much room.
#2: Dream On Me 4-in-1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib (Best Convertible)
Size: 23 inches wide, 39 inches long
What sets this crib apart from the others on this list is that it can be used from infancy to adulthood. There are 4 different modes to this mini crib, making it the most ideal to grow with your child. Now let’s go over the top reasons we have this crib as one of our top picks.
It Converts to a Twin Bed
This is a unique feature that you won’t find with any of the mini cribs that we mention. Once your baby is a teenager, you can buy the conversion kit and a twin mattress, and you’re good to go. Bedframes can be expensive, and this mini crib saves you that extra purchase!
Transitions to a Mini Toddler Day Bed
What’s great about this is that you don’t need any extra parts to convert this crib into a day bed. It is as simple as removing one of the rails. Since it is low to the floor, you will have peace of mind knowing that it’s safe.
Let’s see what else this mini crib has to offer.
- 3 adjustable mattress height positions
- 50 lbs. weight limit
- 7 finishes to coordinate with your decor
- Free of lead and other toxic materials
- All tools for assembly included
- Comes with 1″ mattress pad
If you are looking to make a one-bed purchase, this would be a great choice for you. It supports your child for years, making it well worth the investment. Since it doesn’t come with a changing table like the Dream On Me Casco mini crib, it sits at the #2 spot on our list.
#3: Delta Children Portable Mini Crib (Best Portable and Low Cost)
Size: 25 inches wide, 39 inches long
The Delta is another duo on our list, like the Dream On Me Casco, except that this one is our cheapest pick and most portable. It is by far the easiest one to move and transport, compared to every other crib we picked. So what does it have to offer?
It Folds Flat
This may seem simple and unimportant, but it is not. If you know that you are going to be visiting Grandma often, a crib that packs up into the car nicely is going to be what you want. Another great thing? It only weighs 35 lbs., making it very lightweight and easy to move.
It Has Casters
Again, probably doesn’t seem like much. However, the wheels make it easy to push around your room, allowing you to find the perfect spot for your baby as well giving you the opportunity to effortlessly clean under it. Dust is inevitable and being able to roll the crib out of the way to sweep or vacuum is such a nice perk.
What are some other features?
- 5 wood finishes
- 1.5″ mattress included
- Won the award for Best Baby Crib by A Secure Life in 2018
- 2 position mattress height adjustment
- Supports up to 35 lbs.
The Delta Children Portable Mini Crib is great for travel or simple transport. It is by far the highest-rated of all the other portable cribs that we looked at.
#4: Bloom Alma Mini Crib (Best for Small Spaces)
Size: 19.5 inches wide, 37.25 inches long
This mini crib is the best for small spaces out of all of our top picks. It is only 37 1/4 inches long and 19 1/2 inches wide. It is designed for mobility and can fold for storage. Even though it doesn’t fold flat like the Delta Children Portable Crib, it is only 10 inches wide when folded. Out of all the other mini cribs though, it has the most modern look. If you’re looking for a crib based on style, I would recommend the Bloom Alma Mini Crib.
It Has Customization Options
When you are looking at their website for purchase, Bloom Baby offers a bunch of accessories that you can add on. This makes life so much easier and convenient because you don’t have to go searching anywhere for basic needs for the crib. Your choices include a crib mattress, mini sheets, and a universal mattress protector.
No Tool Assembly
The Bloom Alma Mini Crib boasts about how easy it is to put together. It is assembled with zero tools in under 5 minutes. How crazy does that sound? This is a huge selling point for parents because no one wants to spend hours trying to get a crib together before the baby arrives. Also, like the Delta Children mini crib, it has casters that allow it to move with ease.
So, what else makes this a great crib?
- 4 locking casters
- Fits easily through small and standard doorways
- 2 adjustable mattress positions
- Recommended for newborns through age 12 months
This is a really great choice if you need a very small crib. Most parents use it as an extra sleeping space for their baby if they stay at a relative’s home. There aren’t any options to convert it to a toddler bed or twin bed, but it is still one of the best mini cribs out there.
#5: DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib (Best Rocking)
Size: 26.25 inches wide, 38.5 inches long
The first thing I want to mention is that rocking isn’t something that you see as a function of most mini cribs. That is what makes this DaVinci mini crib unique on this list. It is meant for when your baby is still fairly small. The recommendation is 17.5 lbs. before you should stop using the rocking function of this crib. So, why would this make a great choice?
Adding Casters for Extended Use
As mentioned above, once your little one is above 17.5 lbs., you can add on the provided casters and continue using this crib as your baby grows. The weight limit is about 35 lbs., which will get your child well into toddlerhood. Although you can’t convert this into a toddler bed or twin bed, the casters allow for you to use this crib longer and make it easy to relocate.
It’s Portable
Although this isn’t the best portable crib, it’s portability is still worth bringing up. This is the lightest of all the mini cribs we have listed, weighing only 24 lbs. You can easily move it around your room or anywhere that you want to have baby close, once you attach the casters. This is similar to the Bloom Alma and the Delta Children that are also part of our top 5.
What are these crib’s other features?
- Comes with a 1-inch waterproof pad
- Option to buy the deluxe mattress with the crib
- 3 adjustable mattress positions
- Available in 6 finishes to match your decor
Coming in at 38.5 inches long, it is the second smallest in size to the Bloom Alma Mini Crib. Being able to rock your newborn, though, is a great feature, and that is why it made its way into our top best mini cribs.
What’s the Difference Between a Mini Crib and a Regular One?
The biggest and most important difference is size. Mini cribs are considerably smaller compared to regular ones. Full-size cribs have standardized measurements. They must be 28 inches wide and 52 inches long. However, mini cribs come in varying sizes, as previously talked about. You can usually adjust the mattress positions in both types of cribs, which is helpful for safety when your baby learns to pull themselves up.
Price is the other huge difference. Compared to a regular crib, mini cribs are much more affordable. Mini cribs’ bedding isn’t as easy to find as regular cribs’ bedding, but you can most likely find what you need at the same place that you purchase your mini crib, so it’s not a big deal.
What Age Is a Mini Crib Good For?
Typically, most babies grow out of a mini crib by 1 year old. Of course, every child is different, and this depends on the size of your little one. In general, a crib lasts longer than a bassinet (and definitely longer than a moses basket or co-sleeper), but not as long as a regular crib or pack ‘n play.
What Size Mattress Will I Need?
The most common size mattress for a mini crib is 38 inches long and 24 inches wide. Unlike a full-size crib, there is no regulation on size, so you will need the dimensions of the crib you choose to be sure that the mattress fits correctly. Generally, the thickness of the mattress should be between 3 and 6 inches. This will depend on the height of the rails of the mini crib.
Verdict: Your Best Mini Crib
If you are looking for the best overall value, pick the Dream On Me 3-in-1 Casco Mini Crib and Dressing Table Combo. You’ll save money on buying a changing table separately and also gain extra storage. It measures just under 57 inches long, which is a great size for a dual-purpose piece of furniture.
If you want the best convertible mini crib, pick the Dream On Me 4-in-1 Aden Convertible Mini Crib– especially if you want a toddler bed and twin bed all in one.
Looking for portability? Looking for inexpensive? Pick the Delta Children Portable Mini Crib for your baby. It is the best mini crib to pack up for storage or take on the go.
If your main concern is lack of space, choose the Bloom Alma Mini Crib. At 37.5 inches long, it will fit in the tightest of spaces and is the smallest of all small cribs.
For one of the top rocking mini cribs, pick the DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib. Rocking is a great extra feature that you don’t always see among mini cribs but can be useful to help soothe your baby.
The reality is that you should think about what features you want for your baby and make your decision based on that. Do you want a thicker mattress? The opportunity to convert to a toddler bed, a day bed, or even a twin bed? Based on our research, none of our top 5 picks is the wrong choice.
