How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important purchases. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your little one.
A premium option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions 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 choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed also comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a little light and therefore may not be ideal for car camping however it's suitable to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot around too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cot beds have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and comes with an option for an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last until your child are about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from room to.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag to carry it around in. It is also very durable and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability are worth the cost.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds usually feature. It also offers storage space, and comes with an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested to have an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. cots 4 tots 's also a great choice for those with limited space, as it can be folded and flat-packed. It can be used with a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. of age.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child so that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice and will last your child from birth to childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to shield it from biting.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, however it is a the best value for money as it will last until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties and gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress that's not included.