How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options with various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand the test of time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised while your little one is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great value buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great option. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they reach the age of three. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.
This cot is light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It is also very durable and has strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. The slats were set apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the design. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds often feature. It's packed with storage space-saving features such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. 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 and comes with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. tots and cots is also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, as it can be folded and flat-packed. It can be used with the standard 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. old.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, so they can have a safe place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it will last your child through childhood to.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we tested, but it has an elegant appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really 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, since it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip on the top to shield it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.