6 Best Convertible Cribs for Dads, Moms, and Kids, Too

At $1,495, the Kalon Caravan crib is far from cheap. But it has a lot to offer that will make that price right for some. Built with high-quality unvarnished wood, it has a Scandinavian appeal despite being built in southern California. The rich grains and sturdy pieces of timber are an aesthete’s delight. The wood is all rounded off, too, which is great if you have kids (like mine) who love to fling themselves all over the place.

Another thing I really appreciate is the elegance of the assembly kit. The instructions are straightforwardly written, and the screws come in labeled canvas baggies. If that sounds a little chichi to you, well, no arguments here. But the old saying is true: You get what you pay for.

This Babyletto crib is easily adjustable and will grow with your child. In that regard, it’s one of the best on this list. It’s also stylish, with a minimalist yet homey design that will fit the vibe of many contemporary nurseries, I suspect. It’s a look that benefits greatly from the warm New Zealand pine that it’s constructed from.

The crib has removable locking caster wheels for rolling it around to new destinations with ease. The main drawback of this product is actually a function of its best quality: its versatility. The Yuzu has so many possible configurations that there are lots of moving parts, and putting it together has the potential to be a bit of a headache.

The design of this crib is nothing short of timeless. I honestly think this is what my own crib looked like in the early 1980s, and I don’t mean that as a knock. The look still works. The Oeuf gets high marks for clear instructions and a pain-free setup. It’s also easy to clean because the design is free of nooks and crannies where dust might settle.

This crib is built using Baltic birch wood, which is not only gorgeous, solid, and tough but also very sustainable. The crib transforms completely into a bed, too, so it will be in the family for a long time.

Some toddlers are terrors and belong behind bars. If yours is one of them, the Larkin crib is a good bet for you. It’s extra sturdy, so if your toddler is prone to going full King Kong mode on anything remotely breakable, the Larkin has you covered. (Can anyone tell that my daughter’s terrible twos have left me traumatized?) This crib is also easily adjustable, which any overbooked dad will appreciate.

The main drawback here is that the crib is very large and heavy, so it’s a bit of a schlep to get it into the nursery in the first place. There have also been some complaints about customer service, though we can’t attest to that. That said, if your crib needs to be bulletproof, this is the one.

This crib from Crate & Barrel’s kids line is everything you need and nothing you don’t. The neat, squared-off frame is made from sustainable ash that not only looks good but is good for the environment, too. The crib has three adjustable mattress heights and can convert into a toddler bed as well.

Parents give this crib high marks for assembly, but not for the reasons you might think. Crate & Kids offers a white-glove service (for a fee) that will bring the crib into your nursery and set it up on the spot. Minimalist design, minimalist setup—what’s not to like?

This little number speaks to me. I love the two-tone color variations. That rich, dark wood is solid, sustainably harvested Brazilian pine in a walnut stain. The crib is also solidly built, and the company is so sure of its product that it comes with an 18-year limited warranty. That’s, like, literally the entirety of your indentured time with your child, so it’s a pretty good stamp of confidence.

The Nestig also has an easy setup that should be a cinch even for parents who aren’t super handy. At $749, this is a reasonably priced offering that I think will check a lot of boxes for a lot of people.