Are Convertible Cribs Worth It? (Pros, Cons, and More)

Cribs are a hella expensive baby item. So you have to be a bit more careful in choosing the right one as you don’t want to waste a lot of money.

But it’s overwhelming to decide which one to get!

And if you’ve stumbled on this article, let’s say you’re just in the beginning stage of the crib-shopping process.

So first step – are convertible cribs worth it, you ask? Or should you just get a cheaper, traditional, standard crib?

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Key Takeaways

In a hurry? Here are the key details in this article:

• Convertible cribs can be worth it as they can save you time and money in the long run IF, BIG IF – you can fully use it as a toddler bed/ day bed/ junior bed, etc., depending on your purchased crib.
• It’s also worth it IF you’re planning to have more kids and pass down the crib to your younger babies.
• But convertible crib are more expensive, they can get a bit worn down with bite marks and such, you might have trouble looking for the conversion kit, it might be too big for the bedroom when you finally convert them. 
• Or your kid might not like it and would prefer another bed.

So Are Convertible Cribs Worth It?

Convertible cribs can be worth IF:

• you have the budget for conversion kits + upgraded mattress 
• you won’t change your mind about using it in the future
• you have the space to keep conversion kits and mattresses
• your kid would still want to sleep on it when it’s converted

If you’re the type that just wants to buy everything in one go, so you have one less thing to worry about in the future, then a convertible crib might be right for you.

And when I say buy everything, I mean the conversion kit plus the upgraded mattress that may come with it.

So imagine making a one-time purchase and never having to go shopping for another bed again! 

That will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

On the other hand, convertible cribs are NOT WORTH IT IF:

• you do not have the budget for it, upfront
• you’re not sure of the available space and set up in your kid’s bedroom in the future
• you want a flexible option of letting your kids choose their beds when they get older

Different Types of Convertible Cribs

Depending on the brand, convertible cribs can be transformed into many bed types.

A 2-in-1 convertible crib can turn into a toddler bed or daybed or even a full-sized bed, depending on the model.

3-in-1 convertible cribs convert into toddler bed and daybed.

4-in-1 convertible cribs can turn into toddler bed, daybed, and full-sized bed.

5-in-1 convertible cribs convert into a toddler bed , daybed, and full-sized bed. It can also include a toddler bed with a guardrail, and a full-sized bed with a headboard or footboard, depending on the brand or model.

There’s even a 6-in-1 convertible crib that can convert into a toddler bed, daybed, sofa, full-size bed with headboard and footboard, and a full-size bed with headboard only, depending on the model or brand!

These various types of convertible cribs may or may not include the necessary conversion kits and mattresses.

But for 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 convertible cribs, it usually comes with the toddler bed conversion kit, so you don’t need to purchase it separately.

Pros of Convertible Cribs

Saves Time

Researching, choosing, and shopping for any big purchase baby-related item is no joke.

It takes a long time to narrow down your choices, hear out recommendations and finally get to the store or online.

Only to find a dozen other seemingly better options. 

Then you’re back at square one again!

Then you keep doing that every time you need a toddler bed or a full-sized bed for your child!

So if you buy a convertible crib, along with all its conversion kit and mattress, you lessen that stress, and you only research and shop once.

Save Money

It’s expensive, yes, upfront.

But getting the convertible crib along with its conversion kits plus mattresses can save you money in the long run. 

It’s like getting all your kid’s beds in a bundle – it’s cheaper than buying beds separately.

Most 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 convertible cribs come with a toddler bed conversion kit, which can save you some money!

Think of price hikes, inflations, recessions, and a whole lot of financial issues that might affect your buying power in the future.

So if you have everything prepared until your child is big enough to move out, then you have one less thing to worry about.

One mom in a popular online forum shared that they got a 4-in-1 convertible crib for their firstborn which was used for 9 years. 

Then they converted that back into a crib for their 2nd kid and has been turned back into a full bed for the 2nd time!

So if you get a really high-quality convertible crib, it can save you a lot of money.

Saves Memories

Sounds cheesy but imagine your kid going off to college. 

Then one day you passed by their empty room. 

You see their full-sized bed and you suddenly remember that it used to hold your little one as a crib.

Then it was converted to a toddler bed and finally into a full bed when they became older.

You remember changing their diaper in the crib, reading them books in their toddler bed, and them ignoring you on their full-sized bed.

And those memories will hit you like a ton of bricks and you’ll find yourself sobbing and laying down on that convertible crib.

I know, I know, sounds awfully corny but we all will get there someday. 

And some, if not most of us, would have a hard time getting rid of an item that has been in our child’s life for so long.

Cons of Convertible Cribs

But there are a lot of drawbacks to getting a convertible crib:

More Expensive

They are definitely more expensive than a regular, standard crib.

And they can get pricier with all the conversion kits that you will need to convert the crib.

You might also need to buy a new mattress when you convert the crib, depending on the convertible crib model you got.

Related Article: Best Baby Crib Mattresses

Conversion Kit Might Not Available

There’s a mom who shared in an online parenting forum that they didn’t buy the conversion kit initially.

So when they had to convert the crib to a toddler bed, they had a hard time tracking down the conversion kit!

Some parents even mentioned that they couldn’t find the conversion kit to make the crib into a toddler bed. 

They just decided to buy a twin-sized bed for their child.

So that can be an issue if you don’t have the budget to buy all the necessary items to convert the crib.

Buyer’s Remorse

Some parents regret buying a convertible crib as they feel they’re stuck with it and it seemed impractical to buy a cooler-looking bed for their kid.

Some also realized a little too late that converting a crib into a full-sized bed will take up a lot of space in their kid’s room. 

So it seems better to just buy a new bed instead of turning a convertible crib into a full-sized bed.

Need Storage Space

Assuming you bought all the conversion kits and mattresses, where will you store them?

Do you have enough space for it? 

Are you sure you won’t lose some screws, the instruction manual, or other items when you keep it?

Crib Can Wear Down

Most, if not all cribs are safe and durable. 

But there’s a chance that your baby might start biting on the rails, your kid’s legs might get stuck in the crib so you have to dismantle it, it gets hit repeatedly by, of course, your little one and will eventually get nicked and worn down.

It’s not a guarantee that it will still be in tip-top shape by the time you want to convert it into a toddler bed or a full-sized bed.

Your Kid Might Prefer Another Bed

There’s also your little one to consider, especially if they’re pretty opinionated about their bed.

Older kids might want to choose their beds. 

They’re the ones who are going to use it and it’s only normal that they have a say on what kind of bed they’d like.

And they might not like a converted full-sized bed! 

Standard Crib vs Convertible Crib

Convertible cribs are very common nowadays but you can still get a standard crib from popular brands, like Ikea.

Standard cribs can be cheaper than convertible cribs.

So it’s a more economical choice, especially if money is tight.

But if budget permits, I would recommend getting at least a 2-in-1 or a 3-in-1 convertible crib that comes with a toddler conversion kit.

So you at least don’t have to worry about looking for another bed again, when your kid gets bigger.

FAQ on Convertible Cribs

Final Thoughts on Are Convertible Cribs Worth It?

We had a convertible crib which we only used in my daughter’s first year.

When she turned one, literally the day after her first birthday, she started climbing out of her crib.

I was having some mental issues then and I just didn’t have the time and energy to deal with her monkey antics, so I just decided to co-sleep with her on a floor bed.

But I know a lot of people who’ve managed to convert their cribs into a toddler bed and then converted that back into a crib for their 2nd or 3rd child.

So if you’re still a bit torn between the two, I say, review your finances, your available space, and your plans for the future.

I’d highly recommend though to just get a 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 convertible crib that comes with a toddler bed conversion kit. You can save a lot, especially if you get it on Black Friday or whenever it’s on sale!

Related Article: Babyletto Modo vs Hudson Crib [In-Depth Comparison Review]

At least you don’t need to worry about buying a toddler bed when your baby outgrows their crib. 

That is, if your baby is not a daredevil cheeky monkey, like mine.

If you like this guide, then make sure to check out Can a Baby Sleep in a Playpen Instead of a Crib? (And Which Playpen?), Crib vs Pack N Play, and Wood vs Metal Cribs.