How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important buys. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also different options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it if you want a cot that will last for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the test of time. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setting up.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is foldable down and stored easily since it can fit into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib which can help keep things organised as your baby is growing.
cots to tots says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will suit most homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for peace of mind) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It folds flat and comes with lockable wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the design. Your baby's cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and also is practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also offers space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. old. It transforms into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with little space since it can be rolled up and collapsed. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. of age.
Convertability
If you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick that will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've tested, but it has a premium appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows since they may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty and gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.