The Best Crib

We’ve seen plenty of new cribs hit the market in the past year, but none have delivered the same combination of value and sturdiness that we found in our original pick, Oeuf Rhea crib; it remains our top choice.

A well-made crib should last long enough to be used by multiple children, and will become the focal point of your baby’s nursery. Having considered and tested twenty-four different models, I’m confident that the Oeuf Rhea crib is the best all-around crib when considering price, sturdiness, materials, and design.

We put dozens of cribs from fifteen different manufacturers through a series of tests in choosing the best crib. We looked at how easily they converted, how sturdy they were, and found out what each model was made of. Then we put each crib through a series of tests using dumbbells, scratching materials, and even a weighted test manikin.

Quality woods and finishes are what set the good cribs apart from the bad. The models that we tested are composed of pine, beech, birch or poplar—solid wood. Some cribs also included MDF, which stands for medium-density fibreboard. In general, hard wood cribs will outlast their fibreboard counterparts. We talked with professionals from the CPSC, and GREENGUARD, as well as industry professionals and manufacturers to help us find the best crib.

Who Should Buy A Crib?

Parents who want a safe, high-quality place for their baby to sleep at night. When shopping for baby gear, knock out the important items like a crib and a crib mattress first. It’s been my experience that because cribs take up more space than car seats and strollers in warehouses, stores may not have these items on hand. Special orders take time, and inevitably the finish you want will be out of stock.

A tip for pre-ordering from a brick-and-mortar store: Once you’ve decided on the crib you want, buy it and see if you can pick it up at a later date. Most stores will be more than happy to accommodate this request.

Lastly, the crib is the only piece of baby gear that’s designed to be used without any parental supervision. It must be safe.

What to Look For

Prior to the advent of the convertible crib, many parents bought a bassinet, a crib, a toddler bed, and a full-size bed. Not only was this expensive, but it was also wasteful.

These days, many cribs have the ability to expand or contract to service many different sleeping needs. In 2011, the CPSC approved updated regulations for cribs that ensured that newly-produced cribs would be safer. The regulations outlined several changes to the old requirements for cribs. The old-standard drop-side cribs are now banned, as are immobilizers and repair kits for older models. Another change requires that wood slats and mattress supports be made of stronger materials to withstand additional weight and force 

What separates a good crib from the bad is the wood.

Nychelle Fleming, a representative from the CPSC, explained to us what the new regulations meant for parents and shared an easy to digest poster that outlines some of the new major requirements. Fleming said, “The manufacture date is required to be printed on the crib, so consumers should only purchase cribs that have been manufactured after July 28, 2011.”

Many parents worry about the materials used in their child’s crib. (As they should!) This includes the stain, the wood, and the process in which it is manufactured. Dagmar Ebaugh, a spokesperson for GREENGUARD, a group that awards private certifications to companies and products that have a minimal impact on indoor air quality, warned of VOCs.

”VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals which like to be a gaseous state,” Ebaugh explained, “and which are used in the manufacture of products. VOCs are what can cause that “new building” smell. Certain types of VOCs can be dangerous to our health.”

When we look at nefarious chemicals or products we often hear about formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a byproduct of the manufacturing process of many pressed wood products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, according to both the EPA and the World Health Organization. We like that the Oeuf Rhea crib is made of solid birch and baltic birch plywood and that the company uses water-based stains that are free of any VOC health hazards. Due to the fact that they’re manufactured in Europe, their products meet their strict standards, in addition to ours here in the States.

Every crib—from those that cost as little as $100 to those that are custom-made in the $4,000 price range must meet these new rules.

Now that we’re a few years beyond these new requirements, manufacturers have begun producing new models that change the way we look at cribs. We now see models that feature clear acrylic sides, or slats like the Ubabub Pod or the Nurseryworks Vetro. If you can’t justify their higher price points, you can still get many of their features in more budget-friendly cribs. What you should be looking for is a crib that meets or exceeds all standards, while being able to convert into something beyond a basic crib.

On the topic of convertibility: don’t feel that you have to buy the most feature-laden and complex system out there. You’ll want to evaluate your lifestyle, and space, when determining the right crib for you. Many parents will have a second child soon after their first. For those parents, the crib goes to the newborn, and a new toddler bed is purchased, so you won’t always end up using the higher degrees of convertibility. When we interviewed Eli Gurock of the Boston- and Connecticut-area baby store Magic Beans, he echoed that sentiment.

“Parents who are looking for a crib for the first time, no matter who they are, want to get the most efficient thing possible, and they see a crib that lasts from zero to teen and think that’s perfect. But they don’t actually think about the fact they may not use three-quarters of the features that that product has.”

If you’re assembling this crib on your own, be careful when placing non-wood objects like a mattress support into the crib. A metal mattress support can easily scratch your crib, and leave indentations on the frame.

While researching online, it’s a good idea to look for a crib’s overall weight. A heavier crib tends to be sturdier than a lighter one (although design and materials are a factor in sturdiness, as well).

The cribs we tested range in cost between $120, with the Ikea Sundvik, up to $4,500 with the Nurseryworks Vetro crib. A base model crib that meets everything we consider mandatory is going to start at around $200. While the Graco Lauren crib and Ikea Sundvik were less money and very popular, they don’t feel sturdy; both models felt flimsy in our hands-on testing. Past the $700 threshold, you add features that you may not need, like systems that expand and contract into different shapes.

I’ve seen my fair share of cribs; what separates a good crib from the bad is the wood. Most inexpensive—and even some moderately priced cribs—opt to use what is essentially plywood, sawdust and glue, with pieces of solid wood to achieve their look. These models look good in the store, but they won’t hold up in the long run. A toddler is going to jump up and down, maybe even chew on the side of the crib, and you’ll probably bump into or scratch the crib once or twice. Look for models that use birch, beech, or poplar woods, as they’re much harder and more durable than their plywood counterparts.

how we tested

Research was conducted to find the attributes that are most important in selecting a crib. We made sure that each best crib candidate was made from high quality materials both inside and out. While the cribs were assembled, we used our dumbbells and dropped them onto the mattresses in each crib to make sure that they were sturdy.

A lot of the softer wood cribs were easily damaged.

The next few hours consisted of taking the cribs apart and adjusting their mattress positions. Doing this provided greater insight into how well each crib was made, the same kind of insight that you would get from looking underneath the hood of a car.

I appreciated how the Oeuf Rhea crib used a wooden mattress support, and how easy it was to adjust the positions. I used coins, wooden rattles, and teething toys to test how well the cribs stood up to baby’s teeth. I pressed the objects into the wood and observed how easily they were indented. A lot of the softer wood cribs, especially those made with combinations of wood and MDF, were easily damaged.

Lastly, we asked real people to put their babies or toddlers in and out of the cribs. As a 5’5” adult of average strength, I was able to lift our 15-pound manikin in and out of each model easily, but shorter crib buyers will want to consider models with lower sides or higher mattress positions. The sides of the tested models ran between 30 inches and 40 inches.

Our Pick

Specifications

  • Dimensions: 54″ x 30.5″ x 37″
  • Weight: 84.4 pounds
  • Material: Solid birch and Baltic birch plywood
  • Warranty: 5 years for wooden frame and parts; 1 year for finish and hardware

After our tests, I’m confident that the Oeuf Rhea crib is the best crib out there. You’re getting a high-quality crib that can convert into a toddler bed for a mid-range price.

The Rhea earned top marks for being composed of both solid birch and baltic birch plywood that is constructed in Europe. The mattress can be lowered into lower positions and a toddler conversion kit can be added on to ensure that your crib will grow with your child. Gone are the days of cribs made out of sawdust and glue. While you won’t get acrylic panels, or a chair conversion kit, the Oeuf Rhea crib keeps things simple and safe.

The Oeuf Rhea crib retails for $670 and is available in two different finishes. A matching dresser can also be purchased to go alongside. (Although we did not test the dresser.) These can be purchased direct from Oeuf, at online retailers, or at independent stores.

One thing we noticed is that “modern” style cribs tend to be on the more expensive side, and that you can easily enter $1,000 to $2,000 territory on the crib alone. The Oeuf Rhea crib plus the conversion kit, and a good mattress, will cost you about $1,000. Throw in a nice fitted sheet, a waterproof pad and a Breathable Bumper, and you’re ready to go.

The only thing that the Oeuf Rhea crib lacks is the ability to convert into a full-size bed. As mentioned before, many parents have children close in age, and buy their first child a toddler style bed. Cribs that advertise several configurations or add-ons, tend to be more expensive, and you probably won’t end up using all of their features anyways.

who else likes it

Inhabitots.com was excited about the Rhea when it first came out. Their post cited the Rhea’s sleek lines and eco-friendly credentials, and went on to say, “The wood is all sustainably sourced from Latvia, where the cribs are produced in a FSC-certified facility. All of this means parents can sleep well at night knowing they made a green choice in cribs.”

We talked with Eli Gurock of the Boston and Connecticut store Magic Beans, and here’s what he had to say about it: “The difference is that the Oeuf crib is made from Baltic birch. It’s made in European factories. You can take that thing apart, and put it back together or turn it into a toddler bed and turn it back into a crib. You can use it for the duration of the baby and put it away for your grandchildren.”

Babble.com article stated, ”The design is modern and sophisticated and stays true to the youthfulness that is Oeuf.”

Also great

Stokke Sleepi

For those who are looking to splurge on this important purchase, the Stokke Sleepi crib ($800) is a high-quality crib that will grow with your child. You can also purchase this as a system with the bassinet included. The Stokke Sleepi crib is oval shaped, so it saves space in smaller rooms. It’s composed of solid European Beech wood, and even has wheels on it so that you can move it around in the middle of the night. When your child reaches 18 months, the front panel is removed to create a toddler bed. Later on, you can purchase another extension to create a junior bed. This crib is purchased with a mattress, for which you have two great choices, and you’ll need to purchase specific sheets for it. The idea of custom sheets for a baby may seem outrageous, but a quick cost comparison between Stokke’s oval crib sheets, and a Naturepedic standard crib mattress sheet reveals a minimal price difference.

STEP UP

Romina Imperio

For those who want a real statement piece, Romina provides a luxe option that checks virtually every box for parents. GREENGUARD Gold Certified, manufactured in Europe, solid wood, no VOCs, and water-based organic-oil finishes. Their Imperio crib is designed to grow with your child from infancy, until they're off to college. Plus, it's made of European Beechwood, which is some of the densest and hardest woods available.

The step down

DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib

Coming in at $220, the Davinci Kalani 4-in-1 crib is a good alternative for those who want a less costly crib without many compromises. The Davinci Kalani 4-in-1 crib has multiple mattress positions, and an included toddler rail, but lacked the heft of more expensive cribs. It also has higher sides and a rail that protrudes out from the front of it, which can make it more difficult to get a child in and out of, especially if you’re on the petite side. It’s made out of the same sustainable New Zealand pine found in the BabyLetto Mercer 3-in-1 crib, the Pali Torino 4-in-1 crib and many others we tested. If you’re looking to convert your crib into a full-size bed, purchasing the $89 full-size conversion kit, and a new mattress will get you there in no time.

The Competition

We considered these alternatives from manufacturers, but can’t recommend them. Here’s why:

  • Oeuf Sparrow ($830) — Higher price than the Rhea and also does not include a toddler rail ($222).
  • Franklin and Ben Mason 4-in-1 crib ($700) — Large sides may fit awkwardly into smaller rooms. Higher sides may be difficult for shorter parents.
  • MDB Classic Liberty Crib ($300) — An upgraded version of the Jenny Lind crib. Harder wood is a welcome upgrade, but it still lacks structural heft of larger cribs.
  • Oeuf Elephant crib ($718) — Constructed of MDF, not wood. This received a great write-up in the New York Times. The fast and easy assembly may change the way we look at future cribs. That being said, $718 for MDF based furniture is a lot of money.
  • Oeuf Classic ($970) — Expensive to begin with, and the toddler conversion is sold separately.
  • BabyLetto Mercer 3-in-1 crib ($299) — It’s more expensive than other pine-based cribs. The drawer is o-k, but a crib skirt is essential, or else you’ll see the unfinished drawer liner.
  • DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 crib ($200) — Seems inexpensive, but it does not include the toddler conversion kit.
  • Graco Lauren 4-in-1 crib ($150) — Very flimsy and lightweight.
  • Ikea Sundvik ($120) — We can’t recommend this due to a shaky regulatory history wherein several similar models have been recalled.
  • Pali Torino 4-in-1 crib ($500) — Rails are sold separately, pricing the crib well-above similar quality options from Davinci and BabyLetto
  • Bloom Alma Mini crib ($340) — I’d only suggest this for apartment dwellers. Works as a moderately priced bassinet, but you’ll need another crib or a toddler bed shortly after age one.
  • Nurseryworks Vetro 3-in-1 crib ($4,500) — Significantly more than any other crib on the list at $4,500.
  • MDB Classic Foothill 4-in-1 Crib ($400) — Good value, with an included toddler rail, but the wood on this model is soft. There are similar options from this manufacturer that are less expensive, or better made.
  • BabyLetto Scoot 3-in-1 Crib ($360) —Another good option for those wanting a modern, but less expensive crib. Our complaint, as shared by reviewers, is that the toddler rail is hard to set-up, and it makes the crib feel much less sturdy when it’s in use.
  • Delta Capri 3-in-1 Crib ($130)—A budget crib that feels flimsy. Options like the toddler rail are sold separately, making this more expensive that it appears on paper.
  • Union 3-in-1 Convertible Crib ($110)—This crib has been popular Amazon, given its low price, but is made of seriously soft pine. It also comes from a no-name manufacturer, which doesn’t immediately disqualify it, but does give us plenty of pause when considering replacement parts and warranty.

Care, Use, Maintenance, and Repair

Use a lightly dampened cloth to wipe clean any dust, dirt or messes. Avoid using any harsh cleaning agents, as they may cause irreparable damage to your crib’s finish. Invest in a waterproof pad for your mattress. They are machine washable, and will take the brunt of the mess. We found a company named Babyganics that makes a plant-based all-purpose cleaner designed for cribs and changing tables, although we have not battle-tested it beyond a cursory use, although it seemed to work well for cleaning up older stains and water marks.

Most manufacturers now utilize live chats through their website, on top of existing phone and email contacts. This is the fastest way to get in touch with a real person. If that’s unavailable, try utilizing phone or email for service. We emailed customer service from both Million Dollar Baby and Oeuf, we heard back within an hour. All service and repairs should be taken care of through the manufacturer.

What To Look Forward To

Year to year, crib models don’t change all that much. New models are typically announced in the fall, and are released in the spring or summer months. Here are a few products that will be launching in the near future.

Babyletto Eero Crib

A nod to Mr. Saarinen, this modern crib will pump up the mid-century modern style and feature gold-tone trim. With flair, look for this model to show up on the company’s website soon, with it arriving mid-year 2017. Priced at $500.

BabyLetto Hula Crib System

159813-bk

Another product from BabyLetto, the Hula, will be arriving at the end of this year. This updated take on the Stokke Sleepi and ill-fated Argington Bam Bam, goes from bassinet to crib. Retail pricing hasn’t been finalized, but is rumored to start around $500.

Pali Siracusa

The Siracusa mixes the designs of Pali’s popular rustic models (Ragusa, Modena and Cristallo) with traditional bun feet and a transitional design. Softer than many 4 in 1 cribs, the Siracusa will retail for $899 and will be available this Spring.

Leander Linea

Leander is a Danish company that makes modern nursery gear. Their latest is the Linea, a solid beechwood crib with angular legs. While many of their past designs have had price tags in the $1000 range, the Linea starts at $799.

Your Guide:

Matthew DeLauder

Matthew DeLauder is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and baby gear expert from Northern Virginia. He currently manages a specialty baby store and has helped countless parents find the right gear to navigate the baby product landscape. He spends his downtime writing for The Nightlight and hanging out with his seven-year-old nephew on the weekend.

Sources

  1. Nychelle Fleming, Interview, CPSC, January 29th, 2014
  2. Michelle Horton, Babble Best: Crib Mattresses, Babble.com, 2010,
  3. Oeuf Rhea, Amazon.com Review
  4. Tiffany Wong, Interview, Million Dollar Baby Company, February 12th, 2014
  5. Crib Ratings, Consumer Reports, 5. Crib Ratings, Consumer Reports
  6. Crib Safety Tips: Use your Crib Safely, CPSC.Gov
  7. 2011 Crib Standard Resource Center, JPMA.org, 2011
  8. AAP Expands Guidelines for Infant Sleep Safety and SIDS Risk Reduction, AAP.org, 10/18/2011
  9. New Crib Standards: What Parents need to Know, Healthychildren.org
  10. Arlene Hirst, A Crib to Remember, Nytimes.com, July 3rd, 2013
  11. Dagmar Ebaugh, Interview, GREENGUARD, February 3rd, 2014
  12. Composite Wood Products, California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board
  13. Amazing Nursery Furniture from Tulip Juvenille and Natart, Buymodernbaby.com, October 30th, 2013
  14. 14. Elisabeth Leamy, The Indoor Pollution Threat You May Not Have Known Existed, ABC News, January 19, 2012, The Indoor Pollution Threat You May Not Have Known Existed, ABC News, January 19, 2012
  15. An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality, EPA
  16. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans, WHO, 2006
  17. Alexandra Zissu, Top 5 Tips for a Healthy & Safe Nursery, Healthychild.org, February 13, 2013
  18. Eli Gurock, Interview, Magic Beans, February 25th, 2014
  19. Oeuf Rhea, Oeufnyc.com
  20. Poppytalk, Rhea+Merlin: Oeuf’s newest collection, Babble.com, January 18th, 2013
  21. Jennifer Grayson, Eco Etiquette: Should I Freak Out About Formaldehyde in Baby Furniture?, HuffingtonPost.com, January 26th, 2011
  22. About Us, Babyganics.com
  23. Marni Fogelson-Teel, Oeuf’s new Rhea Crib is a Stylish and Sustainable Nursery addition, Inhabitots.com, January 13th, 2013

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