How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice 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's also a variety of options with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in 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 between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parent testers liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your home while your little one is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you 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 stylish and simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. best cots for newborns is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the price.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers 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
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the style. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a range of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with limited space, since it can be folded down and flat-packed. It fits the standard 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 of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last your child from birth until the age of.
It's not cheap in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents who tested it were amazed by how easy it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still very simple 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, since they may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip on the top to guard it from being bitten.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap but it's a an excellent value, since it will last into toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.