How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important purchases. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A high-quality bed that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options with different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or under-bed storage drawers that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you security) and comes with an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the money.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a good choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these cots are known for. It also offers storage space, and comes with an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. Our mother test subject found it to be solid and sturdy and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed 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 suit any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space as it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as a new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it should see your child through childhood to.
Baby beds in comparison to other cot beds that we tested, but it has an elegant design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three standard 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 ability. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, however it is a great value since it will last your child into toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.