How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a essential item for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your little one.
A top-quality option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child, offering three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also different options with different lifespans some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need an item that lasts for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. The sleek design and warm finish is perfect for a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setting up.
A less expensive option that still gives your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cot beds will also include extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It comes with four mattress base positions in the cot position and will last until your baby is about three years old. It also folds flat and comes with lockable wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with a 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. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds often have. It's packed with storage space-saving features such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mother tester found it robust and durable and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be rolled up and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertability
When you're a new parent there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth through the time of their childhood.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and put up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows since they may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from being bit.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. best cots 's not cheap but it offers great value since it will last through toddlerhood 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 an additional mattress, which is not included.