Basic Baby Cribs

Best bets among less expensive baby cribs

Experts say a basic crib can be just as safe as a fancier model, as well as a better value. Some reviewers actually prefer a no-frills design, pointing out that simple lines reduce the risk of injury. Many of the budget cribs available today are convertible models that transform from crib into toddler bed into daybed and, occasionally, into a full-size headboard (sometimes with a matching footboard). While the guard rail for conversion into a toddler bed is often included, a bedrail kit or bed frame must typically be purchased separately to convert the crib into a full-size bed. In addition, mattresses generally aren't included with convertible cribs (or any cribs, for that matter).

DaVinci is one well-known brand of budget cribs that typically cost a lot less than some designer brands; its Emily 4-in-1 Convertible Crib (*Est. $215) gets the best reviews. This model's four mattress height settings make it more flexible than the inexpensive Ikea and Graco cribs discussed below. When your child grows older, the Emily crib can convert to a toddler bed, a daybed or, with the purchase of an accessory kit, a full-size bed.

The DaVinci Emily 4-in-1 is the top pick on 3Luxe.com and Buzzle.com. It's also rated very favorably on consumer review sites such as Amazon.com, Diapers.com and Target.com, where a combined total of more than 500 owners give it 4.45 stars out of 5. Most parents appreciate this crib's classic appeal, styling and easy assembly.

The most common complaints about the DaVinci Emily 4-in-1 Convertible Crib involve the wood and the finish. As noted in the "Baby Bargains" discussion of the DaVinci brand and its manufacturer, Million Dollar Baby, the Emily crib is made with Asian pine, "which is softer than other pine on the market and more susceptible to damage." Several parents concur, saying the wood is easily damaged by teething babies. There are also several reports of the finish scratching and chipping easily, and even bleeding off completely when a baby sucks on the guard rail. One parent suggests that teething guards could help avoid dents in the wood or damage to the finish. Although Million Dollar Baby doesn't recommend letting babies chew on their products, the paint used is nontoxic and won't cause harm.

The DaVinci Kalani Convertible Crib (*Est. $250) is a newer model that also earns high marks from consumers. It's one of the top-rated cribs on Amazon.com (4.4 stars out of 5 based on 210 owner reviews), BabiesRUs.com (4.4 stars out of 5 from more than 135 reviews) and Cribs.com (4.3 stars out of 5 based on almost 80 reviews). The Kalani is rated as the No. 1 baby crib by Bestcovery.com, where it's praised for its quality construction, clean lines and reasonable price.

As with the DaVinci Emily, there are some complaints about the wood scratching easily and infants leaving teeth marks on the rails. Most owners appreciate the crib's versatility, however; it converts from a crib to toddler bed with included guard rails, to a day bed, and to a full-size headboard (a bed frame must be purchased separately). It offers a four-position mattress height adjustment and is available in a choice of five finishes.

Reviews put the Graco brand manufactured by LaJobi at the top of this category, as well. The Graco Sarah and Lauren cribs are two of the models discussed in the latest "Baby Bargains" book; overall, they feature prominently in both the expert and parent reviews we found.

The sleigh-style Graco Sarah Classic Convertible Crib (*Est. $150) offers three mattress heights to safely contain your growing baby. It was named the best traditional crib under $200 in Babble.com's 2011 roundup, where editors praise its affordability, sturdiness, and ability to transform from crib to toddler bed (no guard rail required) or daybed to full-size headboard. Editors at MomFinds.com and About.com also give the Graco Sarah high marks, and the crib has more customer reviews than any other model on Cribs.com (where it gets 4.4 stars out of 5 based on about 80 reviews).

Likewise, the Graco Lauren Classic Convertible Crib (*Est. $150) converts into a toddler bed (no guard rail required), daybed and full-size headboard, and has three mattress height levels. Many reviewers on Target.com (4.5 stars out of 5 from almost 250 reviews on all finishes) and BabiesRUs.com (4.4 stars out of 5 based on about 110 reviews) like the crib's easy assembly, clean lines and classic Mission design. MomFinds.com editors say "there's nothing old-fashioned about the safety features" of the Lauren crib, nodding to the appropriately spaced slats and stationary side rails.

The chief complaints about both Graco cribs pertain to the wood and finish. Reviewers of both say the pine construction is more susceptible to dents and scratches than other hardwoods, and a few report issues with the finish cracking or wearing away easily. Teething rails are suggested by several parents. Others express confusion over the difference between the toddler bed and daybed configurations, given that no guard rail is available for either model. Despite these shortcomings, most parents seem satisfied with the Graco Sarah and Lauren cribs overall; as one BabiesRUs.com reviewer of the Graco Lauren says: "You get what you pay for."

Ikea's cribs also receive some attention from parents and experts. The Gulliver Crib (*Est. $115) is a basic model with two mattress-position heights, and one side removes for conversion into a toddler daybed (conversion kit included). Reviewers like the crib's clean lines and solid wood construction; the model in white finish is made from solid beech, while the natural-finish model is solid birch with a solid beech base frame. A similar basic crib, the Ikea Sniglar (*Est. $70), is made of solid beech and can have one side removed when a child is able to climb in or out of bed. The Sniglar has narrower legs and slats, but is otherwise similar in design to the Gulliver. Although Ikea does sell its own crib mattresses, these cribs will fit any standard-size crib mattress. At present, Ikea does not sell its cribs online.