REASONS TO BUY
Better quality
No styrofoam packing
Fits most mattresses
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Tricky assembly
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Review
A high-quality, simple crib that fits most test mattresses well and uses no styrofoam, but it is expensive and harder to build
Credit: Matt Lighthart
RELATED: The Best Cribs
Our Verdict
The Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 is a substantial-looking crib with a smaller footprint. It is a good option for smaller living spaces and has a design that is pleasing but unobtrusive. It can be a centerpiece or let other furniture take center stage. We appreciate the styrofoam packing, the easy assembly, and the solid pine wood design, which is made from renewable resources. This crib has a metal mattress platform, so no off-gassing, and it offers four different height options ranging from 16.8 inches from the ground for infants to 8.3 inches from the ground for toddlers. This crib comes with a toddler rail for bed conversion, possibly justifying the higher price tag for a longer lifespan. The Hudson fit our test mattresses with a Goldilocks fit that left a 0.5-inch gap to help ease the lifting of the mattress for sheet changes. There is much to like in the Hudson if your budget is big enough for the higher price.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Baby Crib for Longevity |  Best Overall Crib |  Best Bang for Your Crib Buck | Favorite Crib for Simplicity | |
| Price | $500 List $379.00 at Amazon | $300 List $282.68 at Amazon | $230 List $199.00 at Amazon | $500 List $499.00 at Amazon | $160 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | An expensive crib that feels durable and high quality and fits our test mattresses well | A minimalist design with something extra that has a good adjustability range and fit most mattresses without a problem | Budget-friendly crib with a minimalist look and platform height for standing toddlers, but the height range is smaller, and the convertible parts are not included | Better quality choice with a minimalist design, but it takes time to build and costs more | A disappointing crib with flaking paint and loose fittings after a relatively short testing time |
| Rating Categories | Babyletto Hudson 3-... | Storkcraft Equinox... | Carter's by DaVinci... | Babyletto Lolly 3-in-1 | Graco Benton 5-in-1 |
| Mattress Fit (40%) | |||||
| Eco-health (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Assembly (20%) | |||||
| Specifications | Babyletto Hudson 3-... | Storkcraft Equinox... | Carter's by DaVinci... | Babyletto Lolly 3-in-1 | Graco Benton 5-in-1 |
| Footprint Dimension | 53.5" x 29.5 " | 58" x 29.5" | 55.6" x 29.6" | 53.5" x 29.8" | 54.8" x 29.1" |
| Rail Height From Floor | 34.8 in | 35 in | 35.4 in | 34.8 in | 34 in |
| Height Platform Settings | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Platform Height Max | 16.8 in | 19.0 in | 16.5 in | 17.0 in | 18.0 in |
| Platform Height Min | 8.3 in | 8.2 in | 8.0 in | 8.2 in | 7.7 in |
| Manufacturer Claims | • GREENGUARD Gold Certified • No styrofoam packaging |
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified • JPMA Certified |
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified • Made of solid, sustainable New Zealand pinewood and TSCA-compliant engineered wood |
• GREENGUARD Gold Certified • No styrofoam packaging |
• Non-toxic finishes • JPMA certified |
Our Analysis and Test Results
For more than a decade, Babyletto has been designing unique nursery gear from its offices in Los Angeles, California. It endeavors to create detailed and thoughtful furniture that is “consciously crafted.”
Performance Comparison
Most mattresses fit well inside the Hudson.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Mattress Fit
The Hudson offered one of the best performances in the group for mattress fit.
Similar to the other Babyletto we tested, the Hudson worked well with all our test mattresses. While this crib's stature is fairly small (one of the smallest in the group at 53.5" x 29.5 "), despite the chunky design, it didn't have any trouble fitting even the largest mattresses in the group.
The Hudson offers a snug fit for most mattresses with enough gap for easy sheet changes.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Most of the mattresses had an acceptable gap of 0.5 inches, so they had a snug fit with enough leeway to easily lift the mattress for sheet changes.
While many cribs in the past used MDF boards made with formaldehyde, we appreciate that many are now using metal wire platforms like this one on the Hudson.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Eco-health
The Hudson scored well in our tests for eco-health with an above-average result.
The Hudson's frame and spindles are made of renewable New Zealand pine wood and pass testing for over 10,000 chemical emissions, earning it a Greenguard Gold Certification. This means potentially cleaner indoor air than products that have not passed the same standards.
The Hudson might have multiple mattress height options, but the crib itself sits low to the ground.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Adjustability
The Hudson earned an above-average score for adjustability, but it is somewhat lower than the other Babyletto we tested.
The Hudson has a mattress height range of 8.5 inches, making it one of the lowest in the group. Its high point is 16.8 inches from the ground for newborns and as low as 8.3 inches from the ground for toddlers.
It is one of the few to come with the toddler safety rail for converting the crib to a toddler bed, but we suspect some parents won't ever use it, especially if they plan on having multiple children.
The Hudson was a quicker step than other Babylettos we tested, but it was more challenging with a piece put in backward and some dowels that did not align well.
Credit: Graham Faulknor
Ease of Assembly
The Hudson is relatively easy to assemble, and we appreciate the lack of styrofoam in the packaging. The instructions are straightforward, and the different languages are easy to find.
The Hudson had some dowels that didn't align as well as they should have. We accidentally installed one piece backward, but it was an easy fix and didn't add too much time to the assembly.
Building without distractions is the lesson learned from the experience. You will need a screwdriver that did not come with the crib. It took us 33.5 minutes to put this crib together, from unboxing to getting ready for the baby.
The Hudson is a lovely crib with a minimalist style.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1?
We love the simple and stocky design of this low-riding crib. The Hudson is one of the smaller options in the group and could be a good fit for those with limited space who still want a traditional crib. It is Greenguard Gold Certified, comes without styrofoam packaging, and works well with our favorite mattresses. The downside is the Hudson is one of the more expensive options and could be a no-go for those hoping to spend less.
What Other Baby Crib Should You Consider?
If your budget is smaller, one of our favorites is the Storkcraft Equinox 3-in-1. This larger crib has a reasonable price, is Greenguard Gold certified, and works well with mattresses. It is, however, one of the largest cribs in the review, making it a possible deal breaker for those with smaller spaces to fill. If you have the tightest budget, the Carter's by DaVinci Colby 4-in-1 is a simple and straightforward crib that gets the job done without being ostentatious.
Manufacturer Video
—Wendy Schmitz
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