How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important purchases. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that offer different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used through the preschool years and beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it when you're looking for an item that lasts for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an excellent cot that will stand up to the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of the one used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will suit most homes and is made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you security) and has an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.
This is a great choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to the next.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It is also very robust and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. small cot beds were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the quality and durability make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like and also is practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds often feature. It also has plenty of storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with panels. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its unique features, with the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be folded flat and collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertability
There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as the new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go beyond this. 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 sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick, as it will last your child from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level, based on their age and level. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to guard it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap however it is a great value because it will last until they reach toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.