11 Best Toddler Beds for Little Sleepyheads
Welcome to toddlerhood! It officially starts at baby’s first birthday, but few parents have the courage to replace the crib with a toddler bed that early. There’s no need to, anyway; your child may be pulling them self up with help from the rails of the crib, but they’re perfectly secure in the sleepspace they’ve always known—for now. In the months that follow, though, they may suddenly be on the verge of breaking out of it like a little ninja. This (among many other signs) is reason to start thinking about getting a true toddler bed. Read on to learn more about getting the timing right and what to consider before you buy, plus our picks for the best toddler beds around.
There’s no hard-and-fast rule as to when to switch to a toddler bed, but most families are ready anywhere between 18 months and 4 years old. To figure out if the time is right to shop for a toddler bed, you may want to ask yourself these questions:
• Do you have an escape artist? If they keep launching themselves out of the crib, a toddler bed could keep your little one from getting hurt.
• Is a new baby on the way? Many kids get evicted from the crib when it’s needed for a sibling, but you can frame the transition to a toddler bed as a fun step to becoming a big kid.
• Does your toddler share a bedroom with an older sibling? If your toddler is the youngest and you’ve got a bigger kid who’s ready to sleep in a top bunk, it might be a good time to think about toddler bunk beds and free up some space.
• Is your toddler an early riser? Are you craving more sleep? If you have a gate across the bedroom door and a totally childproofed nursery, your toddler may enjoy the freedom of getting out of bed and entertaining themself for a little while before they demand that you wake up.
• Are you deep into potty training? If your toddler is fairly well day-trained and now you’re hoping they’ll make night or morning visits to the potty on their own, transitioning to a toddler bed is definitely the right move.
Before you get your HGTV on and start transforming the nursery into a big-kid room, consider the following:
• Toddler bed size. “What size is a toddler bed?” is a common question. Toddler beds actually have the same footprint as cribs. That means toddler bed dimensions are roughly 31 inches by 56 inches—which means (good news!) most crib mattresses work for your toddler bed too!
• Most cribs convert to toddler beds. You may need a conversion kit (sold separately), but for some models, all you need to do is remove a side.
• You’re a few years away from a twin bed. If your kiddo is done with the crib but not quite ready for a twin bed, a toddler bed is the perfect transitional choice. It’ll probably fit your child until they’re about 6 years old, so you’ll get a few good years of use out of it.
While you may already have a certain design in mind, your toddler will too. (As you may have already noticed, toddlers are passionate people!) That’s why we’ve offered a dreamy mix of the best toddler beds to appeal to both you and your little one.
Best Toddler Bunk Beds
- Crafted with solid, knot-free wood
- All finishes are non-toxic, with low-VOC paint
- Available in five chic finishes
- Best suited for younger kids, since it has less head room on the bottom bunk than traditional bunk beds
- Bunk beds are twin size, so you won’t be able to recycle a crib mattress
Got two littles sharing a room? A toddler bunk bed could be a perfect solution, since it saves space and gets kids super excited to share. Toddlers should sleep on the bottom bunk, but a sibling who’s 6 years or older can sleep up top. This low-profile bed from Max and Lily takes our top spot for the best toddler bunk bed thanks to its relatively small size and ultra low bottom bed that makes it suitable for even the littlest toddlers. What’s more, the minimalist design helps a small space feel open.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 81.5” H x 54.25” W x 50” L with ladder
- Bottom bunk rests two inches off the floor
Best Toddler Bed Tent
- Fits a standard size crib mattress
- Can be used as a ball pit by lifting the mattress out of the frame and filling it with balls (purchased separately)
- Mattress not included
Kids love having a toddler bed tent, and we’re all for it! After all, if your kiddo is happy and snug in an enclosed sleep space, they won’t be watching you like a hawk as you try to sneak out of the room after their bedtime story. There isn’t a toddler out there who’s not head over heels for Cocomelon. That’s why this adorable bed makes our list as the best toddler bed tent. It features all their favorite Cocomelon characters in full color, plus a tent that fits over the top half of the bed for a dash of added fun and security. Easy to assemble and move if needed, this toddler bed with a tent is sure to be a hit.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 31” H x 29.5” W x 54.5” L
- For ages 15 months and up
Best Toddler Car Bed
- Working headlights double as a nightlight and turn on with just a tap
- Comes with a one year manufacturer’s warranty against defects
- Doesn’t have a headboard
- Holds a twin-sized mattress
- Pricey
Another toddler hallmark? Things that go! Whether it’s a rugged four-wheeler for the backyard or a simple Matchbox car, toddlers seem to love vehicles. This hefty red truck bed makes a perfect toddler bed for boys or girls if they’re obsessed with cars. It features life-like decals and molded plastic to make it look super real, plus a drawer for extra storage.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 89" L x 58.5" W x 28.75" H
Best Toddler Travel Bed
- Many families even use their Peapod outdoors—for camping or trips to the beach—since it’s UV-protective
- Pricey for a travel bed
If you’re looking for the best toddler beds to take on the road, then KidCo’s Peapod is among the easiest travel toddler bed companions. The two-and-a-half-pound wonder is designed with lightweight mesh for optimal airflow. It also folds up into a little carrying case and pops open when you’re ready to use it.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 46” L x 28” W x 18” H
- For ages 3 months to 6 years
Best Toddler Bed With Storage
- A frame made of flexible slats provides ample mattress support and improves air circulation
- Wheeled drawer the width of the bed provides convenient storage
- FSC certified pine is sourced from well-managed forests
- Ready to ship in two weeks
Need a bit of extra storage space in your little one’s room? You’ve got it when you opt for this hand-crafted pine toddler bed, complete with a handy drawer. Lofted beds with multiple drawers underneath aren’t safe (or convenient) for young toddlers, given their height. With this pick, your kiddo will stay safely close to the floor—and will love sleeping under the playful shape of a house frame. You’ll appreciate the adorable design and the handy bottom drawer for storing clothing and toys.
Specs at a glance:
- You can customize the measurements of this bed to suit your needs, up to 39.3” x 78.7”
- 64.9 inches off the ground
Best Crib-to-Toddler Bed
- Available in three beautiful finishes: washed natural, white and chestnut
- Made of sustainably sourced New Zealand pine wood and is Greenguard GOLD certified
- Full-size converter kit has to be purchased separately for $99
- You’ll need a different mattress when converting this to a full-size bed
Converting a crib to a toddler bed is a great way to save money at a time when your little one is growing so quickly! That’s why we love the Babyletto Sprout convertible toddler bed. It comes with an included toddler bed converter kit, allowing you to remove the crib wall and add a half-railing for safety. Whenever your tot is ready, you can take the toddler rail away completely, turning it into a daybed. What’s more, with the purchase of an additional converter kit, you can transform this pick into a full-sized bed—an option that will stick with your little one well into their teenage years. Talk about bang for your buck!
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 55.88"L x 30.75"W x 39"H
Best Toddler Bed for Under $75
- Removable side rails means you can use this as a toddler bed or day bed
- Made of solid pinewood with a non-toxic finish
- Uses a standard crib mattress
- Some parents say it’s hard to assemble
Good news: There’s no need to spend a fortune on a cute, sturdy toddler bed. If you’re looking to save, this classic sleigh bed from DaVinci, a beloved children’s furniture brand, is one of the best toddler bed options around. It’s made of solid, sustainable New Zealand pine and sits low to the ground, so it’s easy for your tot to get in and out of on their own. It also features two removable side rails, to ensure your kiddo doesn’t roll out inadvertently. At $75, this is a serious steal!
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 57.2” x 29.8” x 24.75”
- Accommodates up to 50 pounds
Best Rustic Toddler Bed
- Available in nine different finishes
- Weight limit is 50 pounds
- Some reviews indicate assembly is difficult due to screw holes not aligning properly.
No need to spend extra money if great design is your idea of what makes the best toddler beds. This beautiful rustic option is crafted from sustainable pine and looks like a grown-up bed, but smaller for your little one. With a lovely sleigh-style headboard and footboard, it’s way more sophisticated than many other toddler beds on the market, but costs about the same.
Product specs:
- 56 L x 29.1 W x 26 H inches
Best Toddler Canopy Bed
- Entire bed is color-coordinated, and the canopy and bows give your little one the full Disney experience
- Includes 90-day warranty against defects
- Not as durable as many of the wooden options on the market
If you’re shopping for a toddler bed for girls, you may have a hard time choosing among the many bow-tied offerings from Delta Children. There’s the purple-and-turquoise Disney Frozen toddler bed, sporting Elsa and the gang, as well as a classic Minnie Mouse option, in which Daisy makes an appearance too. But perhaps most popular of all is the Disney Princess canopy bed, featuring characters from Cinderella to Rapunzel.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 51” H x 23” W x 29” L
Best Toddler Day Bed
- Available in nine different finishes
- Weight limit is 50 pounds
- Some reviews indicate assembly is difficult due to screw holes not aligning properly.
Among the more unique toddler beds on the market, this toddler day bed offers a great way to maximize space. As a bed, it has high rails on three sides, plus a removable bed rail, which makes it great for younger toddlers. But once you remove that bedrail, it easily becomes a little couch!
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 54” W x 30” D x 28.8” H
- For ages 18 months to 5 years
Best Modern Toddler Bed
- Greenguard GOLD certified
- Can be assembled without the legs to make it even safer for young toddlers
- Despite its claim to be low VOC and non-toxic, some customers say the bed gives off a strong odor at first
In our opinion, Delta’s Logan toddler bed is a standout among the best toddler beds for its chic design—a perfect addition to any modern kid’s room. This solid wood bed is partly made of New Zealand pine and features a modern dark gray and natural color combination (you can also opt for a mint green/natural colorway). Despite its grown-up looks, this toddler bed accommodates a crib mattress.
Specs at a glance:
- Measures 24'' H x 29'' W x 53.75'' L
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