How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide will assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can grow 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's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip 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 cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people 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 child until around four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed which can help you stay organized while your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There's also an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. best cots is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. 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 can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from room to.
This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It is essential to choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It's packed with storage space-saving features and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. Our mum tester found it solid and sturdy, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It transforms 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, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features, with the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, since it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years old. old.
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 good quality cot bed. You need something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in 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 is not a major issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.
This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not inexpensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it's durable and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, that's not included.