How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for every baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option 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
When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design. It's a great option for parents who want an excellent cot that will stand up to the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.
A less expensive option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a bit lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot all the time.
The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides and an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to be able to climb out. Some cot beds will also have additional features such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There is an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the money.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely robust and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that 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. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mom test subject found it to be sturdy and robust, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. tots and cots were impressed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers a premium appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was them to build and set up. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may need an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to guard it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not cheap, but it's a an excellent value, because it will last until they reach toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, that's not included.