Cribs

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Cribs

What's behind our crib Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 20 models in cribs to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based on safety, construction and ease of use.
Safety
Safety score includes Slat Strength (force to breaking point) and compliance with federal safety regulations, as assessed by our testing.
Construction
Construction incorporates mattress support integrity, types of hardware used, sample defects, if any.
Ease of assembly
Ease of assembly is based primarily on the amount of time required to assemble the crib, clarity, accuracy and explicitness of the instructions, whether or not the correct hardware was included and whether there was easy access to areas where fasteners must be tightened securely.
Can convert as child grows
Indicates that a crib can convert, with or without additional parts, to a toddler bed (TB), day bed (DB), or full-sized bed (FB). Some parts or conversion kits are only available separately.

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Recommended cribs

Recommended cribs are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended cribs

Crib buying guide

To find the crib that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Buying guide video

Cribs Ratings

Find out which Cribs scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest crib ratings

Of all the items you'll need for your baby, a crib is one of the most challenging to choose. There's a wide array of styles and price ranges. Unlike bassinets, cradles, and bedside sleepers, cribs are the only beds for babies that are required to meet federal government mandated standards. If you're looking for information about cribs, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ crib reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our crib buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and crib reviews to help you choose the best crib for your needs.

Ratings & recommended cribs

Cribs (20)

We judged most of the tested cribs Good to Excellent overall. New Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for full-size and portable cribs require the elimination of the drop-sides that have been related to at least 32 deaths over the past few years. These regulations also require rigorous durability testing and improved warnings and labeling.

The Recommended and CR Best Buy stationary side cribs were Excellent to Very Good overall, and ranged in price from $119 to $900. The cribs were of wood, though of varying quality, and have a classic look, for the most part avoiding "cutesy" styling. Removing the drop sides also eliminated the extra overall height required to give the side clearance from the floor, so fixed or stationary sides can still allow a shorter parent or caregiver easy access to the baby in the crib.

Another option is a crib with a single drop gate, also referred to as a folding side. That is a sensible compromise between a stationary side and the now-banned drop-side designs. We tested only one single drop gate in this batch--the Baby's Dream Generation Next ($525) --a heavy wooden model with a simple style. But the folding side requires two hands to fold and raise. This is a safety feature, to prevent the child in the crib from operating the folding side, but it is a disadvantage for a parent holding a baby. And the gate did not latch automatically, as it should when closed, so that the parent doesn't have to operate the latches except to open the side. Because of this, we have chosen not to make the Generation Next a Recommended model.

Crib buying guide

A crib may seem like a big place to put your tiny newborn, but it's the safest place for her to sleep. While some parents use a cradle, bassinet, or bedside sleeper for the first few months, you can save money and worry by sticking with a crib. They're regulated by the federal government, and many are also certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). There are currently no federal standards for bassinets, cradles, co-sleepers, or Moses baskets. (While some bassinets are certified by the JPMA, many are not.) Steer clear of Moses baskets and bedside sleepers (sometimes called co-sleepers), since there are concerns about their safety.

A crib is one baby item you definitely want to buy new. That's the only way to be sure you'll get one that meets the latest safety standards. We recommend you purchase a JPMA-certified, full-sized crib with stationary sides. This guide will help you find the perfect one so the whole family can rest easy.

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