How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, 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 different options with different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used in the age of preschool or beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that will last for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parent testers. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot around all the time.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
cot bed sales will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes sides or safety bars and an erect base that your child can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also include extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki 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 the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. cribs beds has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.
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 keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to 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 avoid fingers getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the quality and durability make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds usually feature. It's packed with storage space such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested that has an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) 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. of age.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we've test, but it comes with an elegant appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was to construct and install. This isn't a big issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.