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A toddler bed is a very important purchase. You want your little one to experience the best in life – right from the start.
But there are an overwhelming amount of choices out there, and the last thing you want to do is waste your hard-earned money. So we did the research, tested a variety of toddler beds, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews.
After many hours of time spent, we were able to find the best toddler bed – no matter what you are looking for. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Regalo My Cot
With over 6,600 positive online reviews, the Regalo My Cot is a great choice for a portable toddler bed.
Other Great Picks
Delta Children Plastic, Character Themed
With over 1,700 stellar online reviews, this bed from Delta Children is a great choice. Adorned with your child’s favorite animated characters – it will hopefully make them more enthusiastic to go to bed on time.
Dream On Me Classic
With over 1,600 positive online reviews, the Dream On Me Classic is an excellent bed for toddlers. It’s well-crafted, affordable, and sits very low to the floor.
Hiccapop Inflatable
With over 1,400 stellar online reviews, the Hiccapop inflatable bed is a perfect temporary bed for kids.
Orbelle Toddler Bed
The Orbelle toddler bed is affordable, comfortable, and has over 1,100 positive online reviews.
Delta Children Wood, Cars Themed
This cartoon themed bed is super-fun for kids, and the low price point and 700+ positive online reviews will convince the parents, too.
Delta Interactive
With over 400 glowing online reviews, and a low price point – this interactive bed is perfect for toddlers, and will also make the parents happy.
Dream On Me Emma
This convertible toddler bed has over 300 positive online reviews, and is very durably crafted. Highly recommended.
Delta Children Canton
With over 270 stellar online reviews, this children’s bed is comfortable, affordable, and durable.
Delta Children Canopy
With over 240 stellar online reviews, and a very low price point, this princess themed bed will make everyone in your household happy.
What To Look For In A Toddler Bed
Unlike buying a bed as an adult, choosing a toddler bed is a little bit more complex.
There are four main things to factor in, when you need to make this new purchase.
- Function: The top priority – is the bed? Well-made? Durable? Reliable? Does it have tons of great reviews, from actual customers who’ve purchased it?
- Style: What does the bed look like? Does it go with the rest of your child’s room? Or does it clash?
- Price: It’s important to find a toddler bed that fits your budget.
- Portability: If you travel frequently, portability is important here. However, since most of us do not constantly move around, this is not a huge priority for most parents.
Toddler Bed Rails
If this is your first child, you may be wondering what toddler bed rails are. You can simply think of them as safety rails that stop your child from falling off their new bed.
Since they are new to the experience of sleeping in a bed without walls, rails can be a helpful way for them to transition into a full-fledged toddler bed. When you are thinking of purchasing bed rails, it’s important to consider a number of different factors.
For safety, you can choose between metal bed rails and foam bumpers. It is generally safer to go with foam, plus it looks a lot more friendly than the prison-like bars of metal rails.
Adding bed rails to a child’s bed makes it far safer for them, and it also makes for an easier transition from their crib. While they will be sleeping in a new bedd, with rails, they will still feel close to the feel of their crib.
There are a few different kinds of bumpers and rails available for toddler beds. The first are fixed rails. They go underneath the bed, and will extend to different lengths (depending on the model).
There are single or double-sided options, depending on how much protection you’d like. Fixed sides will not fold down, but will leave a little bit of space – which your adventurous toddler may be able to crawl through.
Next are convertible sides, which will adjust to the size of your bed. Different than fixed sides, convertible sides will often still be able to be used, once you move your child into a bigger bed.
Fold-down sides are another option, and they are lightweight but will still lock in place when you are using them.
Larger side rails are yet another choice, and they will provide the most protection of any option. Your child will not be able to climb out of a bed with larger side rails, so they may be a good choice for those very concerned with safety.
The last two options for toddler bed rails are portable rails and inflatable rails. These choices are just as they sound – and they’re a great option for those traveling with their children.
Portable rails can slip on and off the side of your toddler’s bed easily, and are also easily removable.
On the other hand, inflatable rails can be blown up in 30 seconds, but once deflated, they can be stored in something as small as your purse. If you are a frequent traveler and usually bring your child along with you – the best option is definitely inflatable side rails.
Toddler Bunk Beds
If you have multiple toddlers, there are a number of great bunk bed options. Bunk beds will allow your toddlers to remain safe, as well as stay sleeping near their sibling.
This can be comforting when transitioning from a crib, as being alone without protection for the first time can be terrifying for a child. When searching for toddler bunk beds, make sure you choose a model that has lots of great user reviews, as well as a history of durability and reliability.
Toddler Bed Sets
When you choose a toddler bed, you’ll also need a bed set to go with it. A safe bet is choosing a theme – this will likely be one of your child’s favorite characters.
For example, if your little guy loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – you can get a ninja turtle themed bed set. There are also beds shaped like race cars, or for the girls – princess themes.
How To Convert A Crib To A Toddler Bed
It is possible to convert a crib into a toddler bed – albeit we don’t really recommend this, for most people. The risk of something going wrong is just too high.
Getting a brand new bed as your child grows, is a much safer option. Furthermore, your crib must be convertible – not all cribs are able to be converted into toddler beds.
However, if you are determined to convert your crib – here is the best way to go about it.
- Make sure you have a screwdriver and Allen wrench. You should not use a power screwdriver for the conversion.
- Next, unscrew all the bolts holding the crib together. Remove the side of the crib that is stationary.
- Adjust the spring frame, so that it is at its lowest level. You will use the bolts and washers that were previously holding the crib together, to hold the frame in place.
- On the front panel of the crib, mount the guardrail. The high part of the guardrail can be placed anywhere on the front panel.
- Next, you will attach the guardrail. Depending on which model of crib you have, the same bolts may be used to attach this guardrail, as you previously removed.
- A special note – do not over-tighten the screws on the bed, as this could cause many issues.
Cheap Toddler Beds
While it may seem like a smart, cost-cutting move – getting your child a cheap toddler bed is not a good idea. Even though they may quickly grow out of the bed you purchase – there are far worse outcomes, if you buy a cheap toddler bed.
For starters, cheap toddler beds are not usually very well-constructed. There is a very big risk of the bed breaking – usually while your child is sleeping in it.
Secondly, there is no guarantee of solid craftsmanship, or safety standard, with inexpensive beds. Your toddler’s safety and health is paramount – far more important than saving a little money.
When To Transition To A Toddler Bed
As children grow, they can often have a hard time leaving behind one way of life, and entering into another. One of the first transitions, is moving from a crib to a bed.
There is no set time period when this will have to occur, but there is a lot of data showing when it is most likely to occur. However, there are a number of things to look out for.
For starters, your child may have problems sleeping, if they move into a new bed. Even previously perfect sleepers may encounter problems, as they transition into a toddler bed.
Secondly, children may start climbing into your bed, if they no longer have a crib to keep them contained. Since you obviously don’t want your sleep disturbed – it may be better to wait until they are older, before moving them into a toddler bed.
Next, you will need to childproof their room very well, before the transition into a toddler bed. This includes covering electrical outlets, sharp corners, and curtain cords.
You will also probably want to put a gate up, so they can’t leave their room in the middle of the night. If this somehow fails, you can also put a doorknob cover on the inside of their door.
After this, it’s important to establish a transition into a new routine of sleeping with your toddler, as well as steady bedtime routine. However, one caveat to perhaps transitioning your toddler into a bed earlier – potty training.
If you are worried they may wake up in the middle of the night and need to go to the bathroom – that’s a very good reason to do away with the crib walls, and allow them to move into a full-size toddler bed. The move from crib to toddler bed is not likely to happen overnight – it usually takes two to three weeks for most children to make the adjustment.
While there are differing opinions, the bottom line is that most children will be comfortable making the transition from a crib to a toddler bed, when they are between 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old.
DIY Toddler Bed
While it may be tempting to save money and build your own toddler bed – we don’t really recommend it. Even if you are an expert craftsman – all it takes is one mistake for a horrible injury (or worse) to occur.
The reason we recommend you do not make your own toddler bed, is the same reason why we recommend you avoid cheap toddler beds – the risk of something going wrong is too great. You want to choose a bed that is well-constructed, has tons of great user reviews, and is established as safe.
There is nothing more important than the safety of your child, so it’s important not to risk their health or safety, by making your own bed. Nevertheless, if you are very insistent and absolutely are set on building your own toddler bed – please make sure you have it inspected by a professional craftsman, before allowing your toddler to sleep in it.
The Best Toddler Bed
There you have it – our picks for the best toddler bed.
While it may not seem like a big decision – the truth is, the transition from the crib to your child’s first bed is a huge watershed moment. While the never-ending teething, and sleepless nights can be exhausting – kids grow up faster than you can imagine.
And when they move on from their crib – that time is forever over. From a toddler bed, they’ll grow into a big kid’s bed – and soon after that they’ll be away at college.
Enjoy these precious times – as you only get to live them once.
We hope our reviews of the best toddler beds were helpful for you today. Of course, there are a ton of great home items besides toddler beds – so be sure to take a look at some of our other product reviews.