How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.
A premium option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can 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
When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of choices that come with different durations and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be 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 stuck. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked away easily too, fitting into a bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's not the best choice for car camping however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also include extra features such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for reassurance) and has an option of an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a good purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last until your child are around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It is also very durable and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the quality and durability make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and is also practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. best crib newborn has plenty of storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side. Our mom tester found it sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It converts into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, since it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a myriad of essential items for babies to consider. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child to give them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth through childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a lower or higher base level based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive however it offers great value for money as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.