How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important buys. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of choices that come with different durations some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that lasts for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that will help you stay organized while your baby develops.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its traditional design will suit most homes and is made from 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 into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a good buy for the money.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an expensive cot. It comes with four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust with a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the investment for its durability and functionality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. www.cots4tots.co.uk can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested to have a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its unique features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space because it can be rolled up and rolled down. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. 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 bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's not cheap in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with a premium design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child develops. They may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip on the top to protect it from biting.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it's an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.