How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand the test of time. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A less expensive option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags that are similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cot beds include extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you keep things organised as your baby is growing.
Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and is made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There is an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from room to.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust, with strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the quality and durability are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It's packed with storage space-saving features, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mum tested it and found it robust and durable and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It converts into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested that has an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also the most simple cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and rolled down. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. of age.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, ensuring they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've test, but it comes with a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip on the top to shield it from biting.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not expensive however it offers great value for money as it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty which gives you peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which is not included.