Best Toddler Bed Frames on Amazon

Before you know it, your newborn is a toddler and they have outgrown their crib. Once this happens, it is vital that you start replacing your baby’s crib with a toddler bed as soon as possible for safety reasons.

With the important role sleep plays in a toddler’s development, we know that you want to find the best toddler bed frame for your little one to ensure he or she receives the best sleep possible. 

However, we also know that finding the best toddler bed frame is no easy task. There are hundreds of options available today, all of which claim to be the most durable and safest out there.

So, to help you find a high-quality bed frame for your growing toddler without sacrificing your sanity, we’ve scoured the market to find the best toddler bed frames available.

The Best Toddler Bed Frames

• Most Kid-Approved – Delta Children
• Best Wooden Frame – Baby Relax
• Best Canopy Frame – DHP
• Most Innovative Design – DONCO

What is a Toddler Bed?

A toddler bed is designed to be smaller than a children’s bed, so the mattress size is still the same as a crib mattress. Since a toddler can possibly escape from an infant bed once he or she is around 1 ½ to 2 years of age, it is at this time that toddlers are transitioned to what is called a toddler bed. 

Some parents choose to skip the toddler bed and move straight to a twin, but there are a number of toddler bed types to consider.

Types of Toddler Beds

Several types of toddler beds are available and differ significantly from each other. Each achieves specific purposes and ultimately, you know your toddler best and which type of toddler bed is right for him or her, and what your goals are for his or her next bed. 

Read the following descriptions to understand which toddler bed is right for your toddler.

• Convertible cribs are a common single bed option that lasts until late toddler years. Even though expensive, they pay off in the long run as you are paying for a crib and toddler bed in one. Convertible cribs make for the easiest transition from crib to toddler bed.
• Futon toddler beds are Japanese-style and do not have frames. They are foldable and can be used for sitting during the day.
• Loft toddler beds are also known as bunk beds that save space. You can have a lot of fun with various designs and creative ways of engineering the space underneath for your toddler’s purposes. Storage space is another perk.
• Platform toddler beds are considered a friendlier version of a full-sized bed, it is designed to accommodate the transition stages of your toddler. It offers storage space in the form of boxes and drawers underneath the bed frame, where a parent can choose whether a low bed or a higher bed is best.
• Storage toddler beds are also known as a captain bed and are very popular, known for its wide, built-in safety features. Considered multi-purpose, it has a great deal of storage potential, even in the headboard and footboard. It can be customized for your toddler’s preferences.
• A perk of twin size toddler beds is that it helps a toddler feel all grown up, especially if he or she likes to copy the parents. It also helps a toddler realize he or she is growing up and is no longer an infant.

Pros and Cons of a Toddler Bed

There are pros and cons to purchasing a toddler bed. The benefits of toddler beds are significant ones. 

Pros of a toddler bed: 

• They are smaller and take less space so they fit in smaller rooms and allow for more floor space. 
• Transitioning a toddler from a crib can be tricky, so a toddler bed may be more of a seamless transition that seems more familiar and cozy to the infant. 
• You can continue using the same crib bedding and crib bedding can be easier to change out than sheets on a twin. 

Cons of a toddler bed:

• Toddler beds tend to be more expensive, especially given that toddlers are only toddlers for a short amount of time. 
• Ultimately, your child will be more comfortable in a bigger bed. In fact, some parents choose to skip the toddler bed entirely and go straight from a crib to a twin mattress on the floor.

Overall, it is up to you as a parent what you think will work best for your child.

How to Find the Best Toddler Bed Frame

Here are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a toddler bed frame: 

Safety features

Once your baby is 35 inches tall or can climb out of the crib, it is time for a toddler bed. It is important that your toddler’s bed frame has a few safety features. Specifically, you want the bed frame to offer some sort of protection against your child rolling out of bed, such as guardrails. 

According to Consumer Reports, note that you should never install portable bed rails on a toddler bed because the small mattress cannot support them. 

In addition, the bed should not be difficult for them to get in and out of. If a bed is too high off the ground your child runs the risk of tripping while they try to get in and out of it and, if they do end up rolling out of bed at night, you don’t want it to be a long fall. Also, allowing your child the freedom to get in and out of their bed will help foster their independence. 

Lastly, avoid potential safety hazards through the way the toddler bed is placed in the room. Avoid placement near any windows, curtains, hanging cords, heating units, and wall lamps. Make sure the headboard faces the wall instead of the side of the bed, in order to avoid your toddler getting trapped between the bed and the wall.

No protruding elements

Avoid frames that have pointed edges and little angels, and avoid decorative cutouts in the headboard and footboard that your baby can get a limb or head stuck in. Make sure corner posts are either flush with end panels or extremely tall so infant’s clothing do not get caught on them and result in strangulation. 

Also, if you buy a metal frame, regularly scan for screws that may have come loose over time. All screws and other assembly parts must be present and accounted for as part of the original equipment from the manufacturer. Do not substitute parts, but order them from the manufacturer who created the toddler bed. Regularly inspect your crib for safety and maintenance purposes.

Design

Sometimes, it will feel like you need a guide to getting your kids to go to sleep. So, if there is anything you can do to make them look favorably upon bedtime then we recommend doing it. 

One way is to get them a bed frame that they actually love. Whether that means getting them a princess-like canopy bed or a bed frame shaped like a Hot Wheels car, you’ll all be happier in the long run. Picking a fun theme for your child’s room and choosing a bed that completes the theme will serve your family well.

Durability

Find a toddler bed frame and foundation that is designed to last a long time. These will provide your child with a better level of support and can even be passed down to grandchildren one day. Look for a sturdy construction, and watch for gaps between the mattress and the frame – the mattress must have a snug fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a twin size frame safe to use for a toddler?

Yes, when it comes to toddler bed frames, you have two main options:

1. A toddler bed, which fits a crib-size mattress and usually comes as a spaceship, princess castle, or covered in popular toddler TV show characters
2. A twin-size bed frame that comes with safety rails

What is the weight limit for a toddler bed frame?

Toddler bed frames typically have a weight limit of 50 pounds.

What is a JPMA certification?

JPMA stands for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. When a toddler bed frame receives a JPMA certification, it means that it has passed the mandatory federal safety standards for toddler frames. If you purchase a toddler bed frame, make sure that is is JPMA certified.

What age is a toddler bed for? 

There is no specific recommended age for a toddler to move from a crib to a toddler bed, but generally, babies are moved from a crib when they are 35 pounds or can get out of the crib themselves, which is usually around 1 ½ to 3 ½ years old. Each child’s journey is unique though, and it takes a while for some children to feel comfortable and ready to make the transition.

Should I buy a toddler bed or single bed? 

It depends. If you already have a convertible crib, then using that second feature to convert to a toddler bed makes most sense. If you have a non-convertible crib, there are pros and cons to buying a toddler bed mentioned above. The toddler bed may make for a smoother transition from your child sleeping in a crib, but a single bed may save you money in the long run, and your child may actually be ready for it.

Are toddler beds worth the money?

They are worth it if your child needs that transition before sleeping on a regular bed. With that said, toddler beds are more expensive and they are not needed for very long. If you buy a regular bed to begin with, you will get a great deal more usage over time with it.

Summary

Compare the best toddler beds we’ve reviewed in our table below:

Ensure that you are giving your toddler the opportunity to get the best night’s sleep by purchasing them a quality toddler bed and toddler bed frame that they will love for years to come.