How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your little one.
This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad 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. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. top ranked cribs appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was an improvement over cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that can give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's light which means it might not be ideal for car camping but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around all the time.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
small cot beds must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or under-bed storage drawers that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's also an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components 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 purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last until your child reach the age of three. It folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed, but it is worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time so it's important to find one that you love as well as is practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mother test subject found it solid and sturdy, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
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 they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It can be used with a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as it can and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While most cots can be converted into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth through the age of.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we've tested, but it has an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, however it is a the best value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.