How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that offer different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its elegant design and simple design making it a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. The minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
A less expensive option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags that are similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. sale cot can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are around three years old. It folds flat and comes with lockable wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and is also practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It's packed with storage space such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mom test subject found it solid and sturdy, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that is perfect for any nursery. It's made to last until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with panels. It is available in a range of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, as it can be folded and flat-packed. It fits the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as you become a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts 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 most durable pick and will last your child from birth through childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested, but its premium design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to shield it from biting.
This cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, because it will last into the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have peace of mind that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.