How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that will last for years rather than just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it an ideal choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for an Scandi nursery. This cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that come 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 in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). what is it worth will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life while your little one is growing.
Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and also has the option to add an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great option when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.
This cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds usually have. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it 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 designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we've tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. old.
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 for as long as possible and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure 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 to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). cot sale makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple 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, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not inexpensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty, so you have peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.