How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your little one.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The sleek design and warm-toned finish is perfect for a Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. 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 foldable into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side and therefore may 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.
The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes sides or safety bars and a solid base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or under-bed storage drawers that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and has an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
best crib newborn , stylish cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great value 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 features four mattress positions. It can keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from room to.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It is also very durable and has strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the style. It's crucial to select a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often come with. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
If you prefer 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 last until they reach the age of six older. It converts into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the cot beds that we tested that has an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It comes in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be folded flat and collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years of age.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's not cheap compared to some of the other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was to construct and install. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive feature of this cot is 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 develops. They may require a lower or higher base level based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to guard it from biting.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, since it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.