How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits 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 in the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed is not expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parents loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable down and stored easily since it can fit into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's on the lightweight side which means it might not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around all the time.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that includes sides or safety bars and an erect base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide reassurance) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the money.
This is a fantastic option If you're looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
small cot beds is the ideal cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its unique features including the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, as it can be folded and flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertability
If you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build however they did mention 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.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It is not cheap but it's a the best value for money because it will last until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.