Are you looking for a crib for your baby’s nursery that doesn’t cost a fortune and can serve you for a few years? Here’s my ranking of best affordable crib you can get in 2023 that meet all safety standards and come with tons of useful features!
Medically reviewed by Jessica Pierce – Registered Nurse & Nationally Registered Paramedic
For new moms, it may feel overwhelming to get all the must-have products for your baby, especially when you’re on a tight budget.
Choosing the best baby crib for your new bundle of joy is one of those tough decision you have to make – checking all of the safety standards, making sure it fits in your bedroom or the baby’s nursery, if it’s convertible, if it has wheels or foldable frame, and other features you might need.
And it’s even harder if you have to keep the price in mind all the time. It takes a lot of time and effort to carefully check all of the options out there and choose the truly best one that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
I’m here to give you some peace of mind with a listing of the best and safest baby cribs at low price that convert into toddler beds (and some of them even include crib mattresses and conversion kits).
This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation. It contains affiliate links.
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Best Affordable Baby Cribs
Here are 8 beautiful and affordable cribs that won’t break the bank.
1. DaVinci Union 4-in-1 Convertible Crib
My Verdict: Best affordable convertible crib
This beautiful modern crib is made from New Zealand pine wood and comes in a variety of lovely colors to match your nursery decor. Besides coming in multiple sizes, it converts easily into a toddler bed, day bed, and full size bed as well!
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Greenguard gold certified
Greenguard Gold certification is one of the most rigorous crib safety standards out there. In order to receive this designation, the crib is tested for over 10,000 chemicals that could potentially be harmful to your baby.
By meeting these safety standards, Davinci cribs are certified to contribute to cleaner indoor air conditions and minimize chemical exposure to your little one. Now that’s a great safety feature!
- Grows with baby
This modern crib has four adjustable mattress heights, making it a really safe crib for your rapidly growing baby. It’s such a relief that baby’s crib can be adjusted for continual safety as baby grows.
Once your baby no longer needs a standard crib format, this crib can easily convert to a toddler bed. As they continue to grow, it becomes a day bed and then a big kid bed – eliminating the need to buy a new bed every time your baby reaches a new development milestone.
- Mindfully crafted
This beautiful crib is painted in a multi-step process that leads to beautiful color with a non toxic finish. It fits most full size crib mattresses, although the Davinci brand sells their own mattress separately.
In addition to being Greenguard Gold certified, it’s also JPMA certified and meets CPSC standards as well.
| PRO TIP: This crib is only 33.5″ tall. This means it’s easier for petite mamas to put baby in and out of it, without back pain or the need to use a stool. DaVinci Union is one of the best cribs for short moms (and dads). Check out my full ranking here. |
Keep In Mind
The conversion kit for the toddler bed and full size bed versions of this versatile crib are sold separately, as well as the mattress. It may be a bit more of an investment on the front end, but I think having four beds in one is overall a really good value!
2. Dream On Me Synergy 5-In-1 Convertible Crib
The Verdict: Most affordable full size crib
Synergy’s gorgeous convertible cribs come in a wide variety of styles and colors, and meet or exceed current safety standards. Also Greenguard Gold and JPMA certified, this crib prices is under 100 dollars, making it an incredible budget friendly option.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Good value for money
I absolutely love that this crib can transition into so many different styles as your baby grows! The solid wood construction lends itself to durability, making this a sturdy crib that will likely last through multiple babies.
- Incredibly adjustable
The mattress height can be quickly and easily adjusted based on your baby’s developmental needs. This convertible crib can function as a traditional crib, convert to a toddler bed complete with a daybed rail, and transition to a full size bed with or without a footboard.
Now that’s true versatility!
- Easy to assemble
Parents who bought this crib rave about how it is very simple and easy to assemble. One reviewer noted some difficulty obtaining the appropriate hardware for assembly, but as soon as she received the appropriate parts she had no trouble putting it together!
Keep In Mind
This full sized crib is reported to be very lightweight. This could be a benefit, but after the newborn stage, an older baby or toddler might be able to move the crib from inside. Some parents noted they had to place the crib in a corner of their nursery to prevent this.
3. Dream On Me Aden 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib
The Verdict: Best affordable mini crib
This mini crib is a great option for a small nursery. Greenguard Gold certified and built with sturdy wooden frame, this mini crib features an adjustable mattress height with three different settings.
In addition to being JPMA certified, this mini crib can convert into a twin bed and the neutral colored non toxic finish fits well into the theme of a any modern nursery.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Adjustable mattress heights
Keep baby safe at any age by conveniently raising or lowering the adjustable mattress. In addition, the four in one design makes it one of the best mini cribs out there.
- All tools for toddler bed conversion included
Set up of this mini crib is an absolute breeze with all of the needed parts and tools included with your purchase. One of the downsides of convertible cribs is the need to purchase additional supplies in order to change the crib setup – but not with this one!
- Great safety features
This particular baby crib sits low to the floor, minimizing fall risk for your little one. In addition to this feature and the adjustable mattress height, the daybed rail doesn’t drop down, which helps keep baby inside and does away with a lot of potential pinch points.
Keep In Mind
If you deal with back pain or have difficulty bending over, it could be a bit more difficult or painful to reach your baby. It also has a maximum weight recommendation of 40 pounds and a maximum height recommendation of 37 inches.
4. Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib
The Verdict: Best affordable mini crib with wheels
This JPMA certified portable crib folds flat for easy transportation on the go. This makes it an excellent travel crib, or a great foldable crib to keep in Mom and Dad’s room for the first year. Plus, it even comes with a mattress included in the price.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Easy portable and convertible crib style
This crib doesn’t need a conversion kit to do double duty. It can serve as a home and travel crib all in one, without the hassle of multiple pieces or taking up extra space in your nursery. Delta Children sure knows how to make it easy on parents!
- Take it anywhere in the home
The wheeled design of this portable crib gives you extra peace of mind, allowing baby to sleep safely and comfortably wherever you are! You might not even need a baby monitor if you use this crib to keep your baby close by at all times.
- Removable wheels
If the idea of a crib on wheels makes you feel uneasy, parents who bought this crib said that the wheels were really easy to remove and taking them off didn’t negatively affect the appearance of the crib.
It’s certainly nice to have the option of wheeling your crib around for your own convenience, but also being able to take the wheels off when they aren’t needed.
| PRO TIP: If you live in a small apartment or need to put baby’s crib in your bedroom, mini crib is definitely an option to go for, as it won’t clutter the room. Check out my favorite space-saving mini cribs in this article. |
Keep In Mind
Some parents didn’t find the construction of this crib to be as sturdy as other cribs. Others noted that the safety warning stickers placed on every side of the crib were really difficult to remove and left pieces behind that didn’t look very nice.
5. Graco Solano 5-in-1 Convertible Crib with Drawer
The Verdict: Best affordable crib with storage
If you need some extra room to store all of your baby gear, look no further than this convertible crib with a convenient storage drawer underneath the crib mattress. Graco cribs have been a big name in the crib industry for a long time, and there’s plenty of reason for that.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Multiple sizes
This convertible crib comes in several different sizes, and even has the option to purchase with a changing table included. It converts into a toddler bed and full size bed, as well.
- Great for tall babies
One side of this crib is taller which means you can rotate the crib and set the lower side next to a wall, to prevent your toddler from climbing out of the crib. Graco Solano is one of the best cribs for tall children (AKA escape artists!).
- Safety features
A separately sold toddler rail and conversion kit make this crib a solid investment. It’s compatible with any Graco crib mattress, as well. Reviewers found this to be one of the best modern cribs out there.
Keep In Mind
The conversion kit and toddler rail for this convertible crib are sold separately, so that will add up to your total expenditure just a bit. A few parents who bought this crib had difficulty keeping the included drawer on the track, but most were overall satisfied with their purchase.
6. Dream On Me Anna 4-In-1 Full-Size Crib And Changing Table Combo
The Verdict: Best affordable crib with changing table
This is one of the most versatile full size cribs out there. In addition to including a changing table, this convertible crib transitions to a toddler bed with a separately sold conversion kit – plus it includes two storage shelves underneath the changing table.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Solid wood construction
Made from solid wood, this is one of the best cribs for both structure and effective use of space. Unlike most cribs, this unit serves multiple purposes other than just a soft and safe place for baby to sleep.
- Convertible design
Unlike many baby cribs with attached changing tables, this product is designed to transition into a toddler bed as well. That’s a really good deal!
- Lots of storage space
There are 2 spacious shelves where you can keep all baby’s essentials for diaper changes at hand. There’s enough space for two large packs of diapers, wipes and your supply of diaper rash cream.
Keep In Mind
The attached changing table doesn’t stand well on its own, and some reviewers say that the crib’s finish scratches easily, or that it isn’t particularly easy to assemble.
But other than those complaints, many parents find this to be one of the best baby cribs to be found on a budget.
7. Delta Children Canton 4-in-1 Convertible Crib And Serta Mattress
The Verdict: Best affordable stylish crib with mattress
This gorgeously stylish crib from Delta children has an added budget bonus in that it comes as a package deal with a mattress included. This is a great savings, since many crib brands sell their mattresses separately from their cribs, which can really stack up the cost.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- All-inclusive
This crib can not only function as a toddler bed, day bed, and full size bed, but it comes with the daybed and toddler crib rails as well as its own mattress. This knocks out multiple purchases at once, making it much easier on your wallet.
- Planet-friendly
The recycled fiber core of this crib and mattress set makes it a great choice for the planet as well as your nursery. Each set keeps 300 plastic bottles out of the landfill!
- Easy to clean crib mattress
Now this is a big one – both sides of this crib mattress are covered in a hypoallergenic vinyl cover. This is great, because if one side of the mattress gets damaged for any reason, you can flip it over and still have the same great, safe and comfortable surface for your baby to sleep on.
Keep In Mind
The mattress comes compressed on delivery and requires twenty-four to seventy-two hours to fully expand to its normal size. In colder climates and cool weather, this can take even longer, so be advised if you plan to put baby in it right away.
8. Dream On Me Nest Portable Play Yard
The Verdict: Best affordable pack and play (travel crib alternative)
I decided to add one cheap alternative for parents looking for a travel crib.
Dream On Me’s products are, well, absolutely dreamy. Their pack and play crib is one of the most beautiful, functional, and minimal on the market right now.
Reasons To Choose This Crib
- Oh so portable
A matching carry bag? With an attached shoulder strap? Yes, please!
This quick-folding, compact design has actually won awards for how easy it is to carry around. That’s why it makes top of my list for pack and plays. And did I mention it requires no tools for assembly?
- Quality design
The aluminum frame makes for a really light weight crib, and I love the four sided mesh construction because it makes for easy visibility of baby from any direction. Not to mention that the mesh helps keep your little one cool on a warm, breezy day outside.
Keep In Mind
The recommended height limit for this play pen is thirty six inches. There’s no weight limit listed, but some parents say that their baby was too heavy for the crib by the time they reached twenty five pounds.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Affordable Crib?
The best full size crib at affordable price:
Drumroll, please…
The award for Best Full Size Crib At Affordable Price goes to this Dream On Me Synergy 5-in-1.
This is one of the most easily affordable cribs, even on this list. On top of that, it functions as so. many. things. I absolutely adore that it’s just as beautiful as a toddler bed as it is as a baby crib or big kid bed.
And did I mention how stunning it is? I honestly don’t know what’s not to love about this one.
In addition, I’m all about a good quality, long-term investment purchase, and this crib is it. I could see this one lasting through a whole family’s worth of babies, and beyond.
Especially if you’re just starting out building your family, I’d say this is a great affordable option that still meets the rigorous safety standards of even the most discerning parents and provides lots of great features while maintaining the impeccable style of the baby’s room.
The best mini crib at affordable price:
And the winner is this Delta Children Foldable Mini Crib with wheels!
This one would probably take my award for best travel crib as well. It’s stylish, durable, easy to use, and highly adjustable as well. I also love how the wheels can be taken on and off according to Mom or Dad’s comfort level, or the need for moving it throughout the home.
The fact that this mini crib folds completely flat makes storing it away a total snap. It’s also one of the few cribs on this list that comes with a mattress included – a sweet relief for your pocket book, no?
Mini cribs are great if you aren’t working with a lot of space, but still want something that’s big on style. This foldable multi-purpose crib really fits the bill on that last one, especially.
Things To Consider When Searching For The Best Affordable Cribs
When all is said and done, high quality cribs are worth the investment in the peace of mind they provide for you and the safety they provide for your baby.
Inexpensive cribs might be a more budget friendly option, but if you don’t do the research, you could end up with a crib or toddler bed that puts your baby at risk1. I think most parents would agree that isn’t worth it at all!
Convertible Design
In general, convertible cribs will likely get you the most bang for your buck. It just makes sense that baby cribs that double as a toddler bed, etc. are a good investment.
Solid & Sturdy Crib
Look for modern cribs made out of solid wood to get the most sturdy construction. You’ll actually want to see the words “solid wood” in the product description as some baby cribs are made from composite wood, or even plastic!
Size
Mini cribs are some of the best cribs for families on a budget, as well. Their smaller size frequently means a smaller price point, which can be quite helpful on the financial side of things.
Other traditional cribs to consider include Babyletto cribs, Jenny Lind crib, or Pottery Barn Kids Kendall crib but for these you will need bigger budget.
There are a ton of great and reliable options out there – it can just take a little bit of digging to find the right one for you and your family.
Crib Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following precautions be observed until your baby is at least one year of age in order to prevent injury or death2:
The crib should always be empty (free from bumpers, toys, loose bedding, blankets, etc.), and the mattress should only have tight fitted sheets on it. The fitted sheet on your baby’s crib shouldn’t be loose or have a lot of wrinkles as this can pose a suffocation hazard.
If you’re worried that your child will be cold at night without any blanket or bedding, sleeping sack is a safe option (here you can see my ones for toddlers). It will keep your little one warm and cozy throughout the night, without blocking hips movement or creating a suffocation risk.
Always, always, always put your baby on their back while they are sleeping. This helps to minimize the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
Crib slats should never have any more than two fingers width between them. This prevents baby’s body or extremities from becoming trapped in between the slats, leading to injury or strangulation.
If you’re considering a portable crib, make sure that it has lockable wheels. The last thing you want is for your baby to start rolling away where you can’t get to them.
So there you have it – the most affordable and stylish baby cribs on the market at the moment. I hope it’s been helpful to you!
Creating your dream nursery doesn’t necessarily require an eye-popping budget. With these affordable crib options, you’ll be well on your way to designing it.
Choosing the perfect safe and aesthetic crib and accessories for your baby can feel daunting, but there’s no need to be overwhelmed. Feel free to refer back to this guide while shopping for an insider’s perspective on what might be the best fit for you!
Article By Jessica Pierce, RN
Jessica Pierce is Registered Nurse, Nationally Registered Paramedic, writer, and contemporary dance artist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She holds two undergraduate degrees from Oral Roberts University – a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (2018) and a Bachelor’s of Art in Dance Performance (2019).
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Resources:
https://healthychildren.org/
https://greenactivefamily.com/
Sources of pictures:
Pictures of Dream On Me cribs belong to Dream On Me Brand. Source: https://dreamonme.com/
Pictures of Delta Children cribs belong to Delta Children Brand. Source: https://www.deltachildren.com/
Pictures of DaVinci crib belong to DaVinci Brand. Source: https://davincibaby.com/
Pictures of Graco crib belong to Graco Brand. Source: https://www.gracobaby.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂