How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide will help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that provide different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those who want an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. The minimalist design and warm finish will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed also comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design and quick, straightforward 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 a bit lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to get out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for peace of mind) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
This is an excellent choice if you are looking for an expensive cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in the cot position and will last until your child is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds usually have. It's got plenty of storage space, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mother test subject found it to be solid and sturdy and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features including the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with little space since it can be folded flat and collapsed. It fits an ordinary 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. of age.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as you can and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While cheap cot beds can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick that will last from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we test, but it comes with an elegant look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to shield it from biting.
This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive however it offers great value for money as it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which is not included.