Small But Mighty: The Best Mini Cribs

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. And unlike playpens, they may be able to be used longer and many can convert to full-sized beds when your child ready.

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

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.

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.

Aside from the gorgeous look of the Sleepi (and the fact that Stokke products like the famous high chair are top-notch), it truly has a lot of awesome features. It comes with its own mattress that’s height adjustable, so you can move it to make lifting your baby out easier and it has lockable, swivel wheels so you can move it. The included PU foam mattress is hypoallergenic and you can buy an organic cover to ensure the best sleeping environment for your baby. You can even add a rod and canopy to create their own cozy cocoon. 

Features: 

• Made of European Beech wood and Beech plywood
• Weight: 35.0 lbs
• Height: 34.0″
• Width: 32.0″
• Depth: 26.0″

The one thing you should keep in mind before buying this crib is that there are no returns on the Stokke Sleepi, so definitely be sure it’s the right mini crib for you before you buy! 

The Dylan is a convenient choice for many parents because it’s affordable, offers safety-conscious families Greenguard gold certification and non-toxic paint, and still gives plenty of convenience with lockable wheels, foldability, and the ability to convert to a full-size twin bed when yu’re ready. It also has adjustable mattress positions and honestly, you can use it all the way through the teen years (yes, they will be here someday, speaking as the mom of a toddler and a teen, I promise it happens). 

You can use any mini crib mattress with this mini crib mattress (no more than 5” thick), but Da Vinci also sells its own custom mattress just for its mini cribs you can pick up as well. 

The details: 

• Crib dimensions: 38.58” H x 40.35” L x 25.08”
• Weight: 39.6 lbs.
• 2” slats
• Mini Mattress Pad compatible size: 36.5″D x 23″ W

Reviewers spoke highly of this crib, although some did mention that if you have a baby or toddler prone to chewing, the paint can chip off, so you might want to pick up a crib rail protector (and be grateful the paint is non-toxic!). 

I could gush about how much I love the thought of a crib with storage all day–especially a mini crib, because if you’re short on space and need a mini crib, extra storage is always going to be a plus. It is a little bit pricier for a mini crib, but you’re getting a bed with storage that will also convert to both a toddler day bed and a full twin, so it is a lot of value for your money. Plus, it’s made with solid wood, so it’s built to last. 

Some details to know: 

• Weight capacity: 50 lbs. 
• Crib dimensions: 34.6” H x 40.6” L x 25.6”
• Crib weight: 54 lbs.
• 2” slats

While storage in a mini crib is a clear bonus, there is one tradeoff you’ll make choosing this crib: it’s not portable and doesn’t have wheels, so if you want a crib that folds up easily and can travel with you, this probably isn’t it. 

Like some of the other Wayfair options, this crib is durable and made from real wood, so it will last a long time in your house. It’s beautiful and stylish and if you’re on the hunt for the perfect shade of blue, this is definitely it. The Ganit converts to both a daybed and a full twin bed with an actual footboard, so that’s a unique feature in a mini crib. There are only 3 height positions, but honestly, how many do you actually need? 

The details:

• Weight capacity: 50 lbs. 
• Crib dimensions: 33” H x 40” L x 25”
• Crib weight: 45 lbs. 
• Slats: 2.38” apart

The one downside to this crib, like some of the more durable options, is that it can’t fold up and it doesn’t have wheels to move around. 

But it’s definitely an option if you want a more sturdy crib to last in one place and convert to a bed later.

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!

Other Products For You

And if you’re not convinced a mini crib is right for you, be sure to check out these other options for a safe sleeping area for your baby:

Bedside Bassinets

Play Pens

Full-Size Cribs