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The Best Toddler Beds (and When to Make the Switch)
The Best Toddler Beds (and When to Make the Switch)
Photo by Modern Nursery

The Best Toddler Beds (and When to Make the Switch)

Time to ditch the crib? Here's how to know when your toddler is ready, and the best toddler beds for every style and budget.

author-Jennifer LaBracio
By Jen LaBracio, CPST
Updated On
Updated On
Our editors independently test and curate products. If you make a purchase via our links we may earn a commission.
Photo by Modern Nursery

In This Article

Best Traditional Toddler Beds
Best Modern Toddler Beds
Best Floor Beds
Best Whimsical Toddler Beds
Best Budget-Friendly Toddler Beds
Best Twin-Sized Beds for Toddlers
Best Toddler Bed Rails
When should you transition to a toddler bed?
Do you even need a toddler bed?
Does my crib convert to a toddler bed?
What to Look for in a Toddler Bed
What size mattress do toddler beds use?

Choosing a toddler bed sneaks up on most parents. One day, your little one is happily contained in their crib, and the next, they're dangling a leg over the rail and you're Googling "toddler bed" at 11 pm. 

The good news is that most toddler beds use your existing crib mattress. These beds are essentially a lower, open-sided version of what your little one is already sleeping in, so you're not starting from scratch. And if you have a convertible crib, you may not need to buy anything at all. (More on that later in this guide.) 

But for everyone else, we've rounded up the best options across every category, from design-forward picks and floor beds to more basic options if you're only planning to use your toddler bed for a year or two before making the jump to a twin. We'll also help you figure out when and how to make the switch, and what features are worth paying attention to when you're shopping.

Best Traditional Toddler Beds

If you want a bed that fits into a big kid room without screaming “toddler furniture,” these are the best options. Think classic silhouettes and natural finishes. 

Best Modern Toddler Beds

If you lean toward a modern aesthetic, these toddler beds feature clean lines and a design-forward look.

Best Floor Beds

Rooted in the child-led Montessori learning philosophy, a floor bed is a low-profile bed frame with a firm mattress very close to the ground. Floor beds promote independence, but they also give your child free rein of their sleep space—so be sure to childproof the entire room before using one. These picks include both toddler floor beds and twin-sized floor bed options.

Best Whimsical Toddler Beds

These picks are for the kids who have…opinions. Think whimsical details, favorite characters and a bit of magic.

Best Budget-Friendly Toddler Beds

If you're planning to use a toddler bed for a year or two before making the jump to a twin, spending less makes a lot of sense. These get the job done without any features you'll end up paying for but never needing.

Best Twin-Sized Beds for Toddlers

Looking to skip the toddler bed entirely? These twin-sized beds are particularly toddler-friendly, either right out of the box or with a few simple modifications, like adding a guardrail.

Best Toddler Bed Rails

There are two types of guardrails to prevent tumbles if you choose a twin-size bed for your toddler: a traditional bed rail or an under-the-sheets bumper. Both are universal and work with almost any type of bed.

When should you transition to a toddler bed?

The clearest sign is attempted escape. Once your toddler is regularly lifting their foot over the crib rail, leaning over the rail or completely scaling it, the crib becomes a fall risk, not a safety solution. This means it’s time to make the move.

"A child is ready to transition out of the crib when they are trying to jump or climb out," says Dr. Nilong Vyas, board-certified pediatric sleep coach and founder of Sleepless in NOLA. 

Height is also a factor. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends transitioning to a bed once your child reaches 35 inches tall or when the height of the side rail is less than three-quarters of their height (approximately nipple level). Most kids hit this window somewhere between 18 months and three years old, but there’s a wide range, so pay attention to their height and specific behaviors. 

⚠️ One thing worth noting: transitioning out of a crib too late can be dangerous, but transitioning to a bed too early can backfire. If your toddler isn't developmentally ready for the freedom a bed provides, you may end up with worse sleep, not better. (And a pair of tiny eyes staring you down at 2 am.) When in doubt, wait.

"Look for the child's readiness first, more so than convenience. Oftentimes, I see parents transition to a toddler bed because they need the crib for a sibling. Don't rush it if the child isn't trying to climb out,” adds Dr. Vyas.

Do you even need a toddler bed?

Not necessarily. It’s worth figuring this out before you buy anything.

Some families skip the toddler bed entirely and go straight from crib to twin, especially if the twin frame is low to the ground or has built-in guardrails. That's a completely valid approach, and it means you're buying a bed your kid can grow into rather than one they'll outgrow in two years.

That said, toddler beds do serve a real purpose for many kids. After months or years in a crib,

the enclosed, cozy feel of a toddler bed can make the transition feel less jarring than switching directly to a wide-open twin bed. "Toddler beds are a great transition because it feels smaller and cozier, like the crib, but with an opening, so the toddler can also feel independent, which is essential at their age," Dr. Vyas says.

TL;DR: The right answer depends on your kid. Some toddlers will take to a twin immediately, while others need that in-between step. The most important thing is to do what you think will be most comfortable for your little one. 

Does my crib convert to a toddler bed?

If you have a convertible crib—sometimes called a 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 crib—it can transition to a toddler bed by swapping out the front crib rail for a shorter toddler rail. The toddler rail keeps your kid from rolling out while still leaving an opening they can climb in and out of independently. It uses the same mattress and looks (almost) the same, and for many toddlers, that familiarity makes the transition easier.

The catch is that the conversion kit is often sold separately and must be the exact kit made for your specific crib model. (There’s no universal option.) If you purchased the conversion kit at the same time you purchased your crib, three cheers for you for thinking ahead 👏 —you’re in good shape. But if not, be sure the kit you need is a) still available for sale and b) exactly matches your crib model.

What to Look for in a Toddler Bed

The most important things are floor height, rail design, material safety certification and mattress compatibility.

  • Floor height matters more than most parents expect. Toddler beds are low to the ground by design, which means a tumble out of bed is a minor inconvenience rather than a major injury risk. Lower is better.

  • Rail design varies, but it also matters. Some toddler beds have rails on both sides; others have just one. Some have fixed rails; others are removable as your child gets older and the fall risk lessens. Think about if your child is a very active sleeper (or not) and what type of rails you feel most comfortable with.

  • Material safety is worth a quick check. If you’re concerned about chemical emissions, look for GREENGUARD Gold certification.

  • Mattress compatibility is usually not an issue, as most toddler beds use a standard-size crib mattress. But if you’re currently using a mini crib, that smaller mattress isn’t compatible with a toddler bed. You’ll also want to look at your mattress’s firmness. If your current mattress is single-sided and very firm, it may be worth upgrading to a two-sided toddler mattress (more on that below).

⚠️ Safety note: If you choose a floor bed, be sure your toddler’s entire room is childproofed from top to bottom. A floor bed allows for unrestricted movement, so think of it like turning the whole bedroom into a crib. That means anchoring all furniture to the wall, covering all electrical outlets, removing access to any cords or wires, using minimal blankets and bedding and removing any choking hazards.

What size mattress do toddler beds use?

Toddler beds use the same size mattress as full-size cribs. If your crib mattress is two-sided (one firm side for infants, one slightly softer side for toddlers), just flip it to the toddler side to use with your bed. If it’s single-sided, however, you may want to consider an upgrade.

A single-sided mattress designed for infants is still safe for a toddler to use, but a two-sided mattress gives you the right support level based on your child’s size and age. Some toddlers may also find a softer mattress a bit more comfortable. 

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