How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. This guide will help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nursery. 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
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a variety 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. Naturally, those which convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it if you want a cot that lasts for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was superior to less expensive cots with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for car camping but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional 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 transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but 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 has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.
This is a fantastic option when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they reach the age of three. It folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also extremely durable, with a strong 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. They noted that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time so it's important to find one that you enjoy and is also functional and practical.
click hyperlink is the best cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds can often feature. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed 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 among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its unique features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot 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 a toddler bed. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. cheap cot bed might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap but it offers the best value for money since it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress that's not included.