10 Best Toddler Beds of 2025 That Are Actually Worth Buying

For parents of young kids, efficiency is no small consideration. How many burp cloths fit in the diaper bag? How streamlined is the stroller? How many to-dos can be packed into an hour-long nap? For those facing the task of furnishing a smaller nursery or shared kids’ room, its importance is magnified tenfold. Enter the toddler bed, a somewhat controversial item, largely due to the fact that many consider it a waste of money: Why purchase a bed frame you’ll only use for a couple of years, when you could skip straight to a twin instead? But for households short on space, a bed that shares the same tidy footprint as a standard crib (and makes use of the same mattress and sheets) can be a godsend. What’s more, many parents report that their little ones slept in toddler beds well past the age of five; others argue that its snug measurements, clocking in at 20 to 30 inches smaller than a twin, makes for a more soothing adjustment to a big kid bed.

Of course, the decision ultimately boils down to individual needs and preferences. Many cribs include crib-to-bed conversion kits and guard rails that make quick work of switching between sizes. But for those without convertible cribs—or who don’t own cribs, or may have skipped them altogether—we’ve listed 10 standalone beds that meet our top requirements: high quality materials; safe, smart design; and enough unquestionable cuteness to earn their keep.

Shop our top picks:

1. For a classic look

For families drawn to more traditional designs, the Toddler Shelter Bed from Pottery Barn Kids features a classic silhouette with rounded sides and sweet molded feet straight out of a storybook. Still, it’s not overly precious: Its unfussy frame and hand-applied white finish make it understated enough to match decor of all styles.

Cribs and beds are major purchases for parents, which is why so many gravitate toward a convertible crib. With a conversion kit, you can help your baby graduate from a crib to toddler bed in just a few steps. The Acorn finish perfectly matches the brand’s classic Mid-Century Bed.

2. For a modern look

Modern, minimal, and responsibly made, the Oeuf Perch Toddler Bed features a birch plywood frame that’s sophisticated without ceding kid-friendly character. A notable perk of its sustainable design: With its side rail removed, it can easily be repurposed as a mini daybed.

In addition to being strong—with its frame and slats made from durable New Zealand pine wood—this clever Dream On Me bed has a surprising trick up its sleeve: Once it’s ready to be retired, it can be converted from chic wood toddler bed to two child-size chairs to use for years to come. Available for under $150 on Amazon, it’s also a surprisingly affordable find.

3. For minimalists

Crafted of solid wood—in this case, sustainably sourced European ash, white oak, or walnut—the Caravan Divan Toddler Bed from Los Angeles–based Kalon Studios exemplifies both top-notch quality and stunning design. And though it sports a higher price tag, its timeless profile makes it just as attractive as child-size seating once it’s been outgrown.

Though it’s a bit longer than a standard US toddler bed (see below for a note on mattress sizing), Danish brand Ferm Living’s Sill Junior Bed occupies a similar scaled-down footprint and puts forth the same cozy vibe. It can also be outfitted with a hanging steel shelf for safekeeping of books or a night-light—or, for an extra dreamy twist, add Ferm’s Patch Bed Canopy, with organic cotton “walls” and roll-up curtains.

4. For a Montessori-style frame

When people refer to Montessori beds, they’re typically describing a floor bed that encourages independence and freedom to move with abandon. Though Montessori beds can take the form of something as simple as a mattress on the ground, we like this birch plywood Sprout model for its low profile and customizable details (parents are able to vary the heights of the bed’s sides depending on how the bed will be positioned). The real draw, however, is its ability to be flipped: When turned upside down, it becomes a taller bed for older children. In the meantime, a generous weight limit of 250 pounds means parents can comfortably snuggle in for bedtime stories. (It’s also available as a twin-size or full-size bed.) It also comes with a removable bed guard to help prevent middle-of-the-night falls.

Low to the ground and protected on all sides, this floor bed is designed for your tot’s safety and comfort. The mattress is not included, but the brand recommends a 6-inch thick twin. Some colors were out of stock at the time of publication, but neutrals like gray and white and a pastel pink are all up for grabs.

5. For color lovers

Upholstered in cushy velvet, the Bodhi Toddler Bed offers tiny sleepers a soft place to land (literally) after a hard day’s play. In addition to classic neutral hues—white, black, almond, and pebble gray—it comes in a cool pink, cornflower blue, and muted lavender for a pop of color in an unexpected place. It also flaunts more than 2,000 positive reviews from Wayfair customers.

A charmingly minimal take on the traditional sleigh bed, this solid wood frame features a classic curved headboard and footboard, and a pair of simple side rails to keep little ones tucked in safely. As a bonus, it’s available in nine finishes (though only two are currently in stock)—from saturated blue to eye-popping pink—and boasts a budget-friendly price tag to boot.

FAQs:

In short, yes. For starters, toddler beds are an affordable option as opposed to opting for a twin or full with rails. A toddler bed is also helpful if you plan to have other children that will need to use your older child’s crib. And if your child is prone to jumping off of things, a tot bed is a good route to take since they sit lower to the ground.

Some toddler bed benefits depend on your preference (like the style of the bed and available colorways), but here are key notes to keep in mind:

• Structure: The build of a toddler build typically includes shorter frames with built-in rails.
• Takes up less space: Unlike nearly any other bed (think: twin sized bed or bunk bed), a toddler bed takes up substantially less space, which gives kids more room for playtime.
• Versatility: While it can vary based on the model, many crib mattresses and sheets can be reused for a toddler bed.
• Sleep Transition: This type of bed can be especially helpful for kids to adjust to, as many are similar in size to a crib.

No, as mold can grow underneath the mattress, so it needs a proper foundation for ventilation.

There are specific qualities, safeguards, and best practices you can keep in mind while purchasing a toddler bed. For a better understanding of toddler bed safety, we spoke with two experts: Lois Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP, FACEP, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention; and Elizabeth Hawse, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician and spokesperson for the AAP.

For starters, when do you know if it’s the right time to transition from a crib to toddler bed? “Parents should consider switching from a crib to a toddler bed when the child is 35 inches tall or the rail of the crib is at the child’s mid chest (nipple line) when the child is standing in the crib with the mattress on the lowest setting,” Dr. Hawse says.

Toddler bed safety checklist

Before adding a toddler bed to your cart, there are a number of considerations outlined by Dr. Lee and Dr. Hawse. To promote safety, a toddler bed should:

• Come with side rails. There are several different types of beds, and the most secure have guardrails included. These are in place to prevent your toddler from falling or rolling off of their bed, and some are removable. If you choose a toddler bed with an optional guardrail, Dr. Lee recommends removing it during playtime, when toddlers might want to move in and out of the bed. Another warning for toddler parents: Keep in mind that some toddler beds have higher sides that slope down, creating an opening in the middle. Dr. Lee warns this could give parents a “false sense of security,” and due to fall risk, it could be particularly dangerous for toddlers under 3. Toddler safety bed rails, like this one from Munchkin, are also sold separately.
• Have a low-to-the-ground design. “The lower you are to the ground (less than 3 feet), the risk of any serious brain injury is much lower,” Dr. Lee says. Dr. Hawse agrees, adding, “It is also safe to just put the crib mattress on the floor.”
• Adhere to US safety standards. “The Consumer Product Safety Commission has safety standards for toddler beds and I would be sure any bed I purchased met those,” Dr. Hawse says.
• Be available for purchase on reputable websites. Some third-party sellers make similar, perhaps cheaper alternatives, but Dr. Lee says these might not adhere to all of the US safety standards.

How to childproof a room

After you select the best toddler bed for your space, you’ll also need to childproof the entire room. Here’s a childproofing checklist, supported by tips from Dr. Lee and Dr. Hawse: