How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important purchases. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.
This high-end option works perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a durable and sturdy choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds for use throughout the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design making it a great option for parents who want an excellent cot that will stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was a better option than some less expensive cots with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfy night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will help you stay organized while your baby develops.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you security) and also has the option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a good choice. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is three years old. It folds flat and comes with lockable wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed, but it is worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one you like and is also practical and useful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often come with. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mom tested it and found it to be robust and durable, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
If you prefer you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we've tested with an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its nifty features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. sale cot are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and then collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child is 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's not cheap compared to some of the other cot beds we've tested, but it has an attractive design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to protect it from being bitten.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was impressed by the grey finish. It is not cheap however it is a great value as it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.