How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum 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. This cot bed is not expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
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 collection by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
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 will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked 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 good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help organize your life while your little one 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 can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and comes with an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. affordable cots 'll keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. 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 one of the lightest cots we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one you like as well as is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its nifty features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also the most simple cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space, since it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as the new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as you can and grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's a little 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 test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to protect it from being bitten.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress that's not included.