How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. 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. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that provide different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was a better option than some less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot 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. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that 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 reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your child is unable to get out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child are about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. try this 's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability are worth the cost.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the style. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds usually come with. It also offers storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's made to last until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It takes an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when a new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While most cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, but it offers an excellent value, since it will last your child into the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty which gives you assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.