Small But Mighty: The Best Mini Cribs

The Best Mini Cribs for Your Baby

As you prepare for your little one, you might be in the market for a mini crib, which is exactly what it sounds like: a smaller version of a regular, full-sized crib. For some families, a mini crib is all they’ll ever need.

Why Choose a Mini Crib?

There are many reasons why parents may want to choose a mini crib for their baby. Mini cribs can be perfect for smaller living spaces or they may offer alternative sleeping surfaces throughout your home, or where your child is cared for. For instance, if you or your baby’s caregiver have any mobility issues, it might make sense to have a mini crib in another room in your house for easier accessibility. Or, if you room-share with your baby, but would like the opportunity to have some alone time with your partner, you might want a mini crib or portable crib set up in another area of the home for nap time or bedtime.

In some cases, a mini crib may also be more affordable than a full-sized crib, although that’s not always the case, so definitely check prices before you buy.

Are Mini Cribs Safe?

Any mini crib that is sold in the U.S. must adhere to safety guidelines set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which outlines basic safety regulations for cribs. These specifications can change and if anyone has used the crib before you, the crib may be altered or broken in some way, which is why it’s always recommended to buy new baby products. 

The CSPC outlines specifically what safety standards should be present in any type of crib (mini cribs included):

• A mattress that fits tightly so the baby can’t get trapped between the crib and mattress
• No loose or missing hardware
• Crib slats no larger than 2 ⅜ inches (which is about the size of a soda can) so your baby can’t fit between them
• Corner posts should not be over 1/16th high so no clothing can get caught
• No cutouts in head or foot boards

Mesh cribs and playpens also have their own safety standards:

• Mesh holes should be less than ¼ in in size
• Mesh should not have tears, holes or any loose threads
• The top rail cover should be intact
• Any stapes must be covered

And of course, you can follow safe sleep recommendations when putting your baby down to sleep, no matter if you have a portable crib, mini crib, or full-sized crib. You can help reduce the risk of SIDS by:

• Place your baby to sleep on their back in a separate sleeping area on a firm, tight-fitting mattress
• Don’t place anything else in the crib, including pillows, bumpers, or blankets
• Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket
• Make sure all sheets fit the mattress and don’t have any loose areas

Choosing a Mini Crib: What to Look For

Mini cribs aren’t crib alternatives or bedside bassinets—they are undersized versions of standard cribs, usually providing a difference of about 4 inches in width and 14 inches in length. Mini cribs can be convenient because not every home is equipped with a full-size nursery, and not every family wants a heavy, immovable crib.

There are all kinds of mini cribs available, from portable options that fold up and have wheels, to those that can grow with your baby, converting into a toddler and even twin-sized bed. When shopping for a mini-crib, parents have plenty of options to choose from.

The good news is we’ve taken a lot of the guesswork out of this decision for you, rounding up the best mini cribs on the market so that all you have to do is decide which option meets all of your needs (and then maybe locate the best mini crib mattress to go along with your purchase).

Let the nesting begin!

Truly Mama’s Best Mini Crib Picks

If you were to pick out all the best features of every mini crib we reviewed, from affordability to longevity, you’d find that the Dream On Me Aden Convertible wins in almost every category. Not only does this crib offer a sleek profile and six gorgeous color options to choose from, it also boasts one of the more affordable price points on our list and has the ability to convert into both a daybed and twin-size bed when you child outgrows the crib.

While in crib-form, the mattress can be adjusted to 3 different height positions, keeping your baby within easy reach when they are small, and moving them lower to the ground as they get bigger and are more prone to trying to climb out. It’s also only 20 pounds, making it the lightest crib on our list—meaning that while it doesn’t have wheels or fold up, it’s still pretty easy to move when needed.

Dream on Me Aden Convertible Features

• Size: 39 x 23 x 36 inches
• Weight: 20 pounds
• Material: Pine wood
• Converts from crib to a mini daybed and then, a twin-size bed
• 3 mattress positions
• Fixed rails

Don’t ask us how they’ve managed to create a product that provides so much for so little, just know we’re big fans—and so are the people who buy it. Of all the cribs we reviewed, the Dream on Me Aden has the highest number of reviews by far and still manages to come in at 4.5 stars on Amazon.

The Dream on Me Aden meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards, though it is lacking in GREENGUARD Gold certification.

While it didn’t make the top spot on our list, the DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib is a very close second. This cute, affordable crib has wheels that not only make it more portable, but also allow for easy rocking so you can soothe your little one back to sleep during those between-feeding wakeups. Anything that helps parents get more sleep is a winner in our book!

We love everything about this crib, from its thoughtful design to its 1-year warranty. The wheels can be locked or removed, which could come in handy if you have an older child who has taken your baby on one too many rides around the house. The only reason it didn’t make the top spot on our list is because it’s a few dollars more than our winner and doesn’t have the ability to grow with your baby once they become too big for the crib—and we hate saying goodbye to a product we love.

DaVinci Alpha Mini Rocking Crib Features

• Greenguard certified
• Rolling wheels that can also be locked
• 3 mattress positions
• 38 x 26.13 x 45.13 inches
• Weighs 26 pounds

The DaVinci Alpha is GREENGUARD Gold certified and has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals. It exceeds ASTM and CPSC safety standards.

With two adjustable mattress levels, the Babyletto Origami has a gorgeous design and cute pastel colors to choose from. But not only is it pretty to look at, it also easily folds up and has wheels—making this the most portable crib on our list. And don’t worry about those wheels sending baby off on an unplanned trip around the room—they lock up tight whenever you’re not trying to move it around.

If you’re looking for a mini crib that is as aesthetically pleasing as any standard-sized crib could ever be, while also being easily portable, this is the crib for you. Its features mean it can quickly travel from room to room, be tucked away in a closet for easy storage, or even get tossed into the minivan for a few days with the grandparents (you know, when that’s allowed again). The Origami comes with a 1” mattress pad, though most users recommend upgrading to a thicker mini crib mattress. It also has an upper weight limit of 149 pounds, meaning you’ll never have to worry about whether your baby has grown too heavy for their crib.

Babyletto Origami Portable Crib Features

• Can be used from newborn to approximately 18 months of age
• Greenguard Gold certified
• 2 adjustable mattress positions
• Includes 1 37.6″ x 23.5″ mattress pad
• Bundle includes non-toxic mini crib mattress made with lightweight, fully recyclable polyester core
• Size: 39.2 x 25.7 x 36 inches
• Weight: about 50 pounds

This may be the most expensive option on our list, and it won’t convert into a larger bed as your baby grows. But the ability to fold it up and store it, out of sight and out of mind, means you could easily hold onto it for any future babies.

The Babyletto Origami is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals. It meets ASTM and CPSC safety standards.

With four adjustable mattress positions, taking your baby lower and improving safety as they begin to sit and stand, you can rest assured that your little one will be kept secure in this mini crib until you’re ready to bring them out. And when they outgrow the crib entirely, the DaVinci Kalani is ready to grow with them, converting from a crib into a toddler bed, then a twin-size bed. (However, you will have to buy separate conversion kits for all, so if that’s your plan, we do recommend you buy all the kits right now, as sometimes, if the crib is discontinued, you won’t be able to get the conversion kit.)

We love the stylish design of this crib and the numerous options it provides for customizing your baby’s sleep environment from infancy all the way through the teenage years. Reviewers on Amazon say it’s easy to assemble and looks beautiful once put together. And for all the options it provides, the price is definitely right.

DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib Features

• Dimensions: 40″ L x 28.63″ x 38.12″ H
• 4 adjustable mattress positions
• Converts to toddler bed and day bed with separately-sold conversion kits
• 1 waterproof mattress pad included
• Can be used from newborn to approximately 18 months of age
• Lower-profile crib

The DaVinci Kalani is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and has been tested for over 10,000 chemicals.

We may be biased, but we like the look of a curvy crib. And the Dream On Me Addison provides just that. With four color options to choose from, and a gentle, sloping design, this mini crib may be the most elegant option on our list. While it doesn’t come with wheels or easily tuck away, it does provide three adjustable mattress positions and the ability to convert into a mini daybed or a twin. Users say it is easy to assemble, and like the Babyletto Origami, it comes with a 1” mattress pad that can be used alone, or on top of a purchased mattress for added protection.

At 32 by 24 inches, it’s also one of the smallest cribs on our list, taking up the least amount of floor space, so it’s especially fitting for more limited living areas. But at 34 pounds, you can trust that the construction is solid, making the quality of this crib as appealing as its modern-day look.

Dream on Me Addison Features

• Size: 32 (length) x 24 (width) x 38 (height) inches
• Max weight limit of 50 lbs.
• 3 mattress positions
• Includes 1″ mattress pad
• Available in 5 different finishes
• Materials: New Zealand pinewood

The Dream On Me Addison meets ASTM and CPSC safety standards but is lacking GREENGUARD Gold Certification.

This crib boasts the cheapest price on our list and also comes with the only mini-crib mattress you’ll need. It folds flat for storing away or transporting, and provides two mattress height positions to keep your baby safe as he or she continues to grow. The rolling wheels also mean you can move it easily from room to room, or rock your baby to sleep at night while you zone out yourself. (Or, um, catch up on your Instagram stories?)

Delta Children Folding Portable Mini Baby Crib Features

• 37.5 x 23.25 x 1.5 inches
• 2 mattress positions
• Folds for storage or transport (folds to just 6 inches, and can fit under a bed)
• Weighs 34 pounds
• Wheeled

There are three considerations with this crib: first, if you purchase a bundle with an included mattress, it’s said to be somewhat thicker than average crib mattresses, so it might be difficult to get standard fitted mini crib sheets on it. Secondly, the wheels cannot be locked into place like some of our other portable options. And the finally, the crib has been reported as being somewhat difficult to put together. But Delta Children has created instruction videos to help with that.

The Delta Children Portable Mini Baby Crib meets ASTM and CPSC safety standards but is lacking GREENGUARD Gold Certification.

Sleeping Soundly For Years to Come

While all the mini cribs we reviewed meet or exceed minimum safety standards, and many also have GREEGUARD Gold Certification, nearly all have reports of strong chemical smells upon first being removed from the box. When purchasing a new crib, it is always advisable to assemble it at least a few days before your baby will actually need it so that this smell can dissipate as the crib airs out in its new space.

You should also keep in mind that any mini crib offering the ability to convert into a toddler bed, day bed, or twin bed will likely require a conversion kit that does not come with the original order. If you have purchased one of these options, we recommend buying the conversion kit at the same time. History has taught us that these conversion kits have a tendency of being discontinued sooner than you are ready to transition your baby. So if you plan on converting the bed anytime in the years ahead, it’s better to be safe than sorry and to prepare yourself ahead of time for that switch.

Now the rest is up to you—what do you care more about when shopping for a mini crib? Price? Conversion options? Portability? Aesthetic appeal? Or all of the above? Whichever crib you choose, we hope your baby learns to sleep soundly in it soon!