How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that provide different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that can give your baby a good 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 can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby is not able to get out. Best cot for newborn include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is also an extension kit that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
This is an excellent choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to another.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It is also very robust, with a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the style. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and is also practical and useful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum tested it and found it to be sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested to have draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features including the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts as long as possible and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth until the age of.
It's expensive when compared to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with a premium design and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They may need an upper or lower base level depending on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to protect it from biting.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it's a the best value for money because it will last through the toddler years and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.