How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child 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 a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last for a long time. The minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that come with a built-in 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. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. cots 4 tots loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily because it fits in bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot for too long.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby is not able to get out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made 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 security) and has an option for an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has locking wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often have. It also offers space-saving storage and has 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 lets it expand with your baby.
Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be folded and flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit 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 have been more clear, but our parent testers were awed by how easy it was to construct and set up. This isn't a big issue but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. online cots 's not inexpensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which isn't included.