How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple 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 a bag the size of the one used for the camping chair. It's on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot all the time.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby 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 the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
best cot beds that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for a robust design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations that your child can't easily get out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for reassurance) and comes with an option for an extension kit that takes 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 limited budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattress and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they reach the age of three. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They also noted that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its durability and functionality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds can often have. It has plenty of storage space and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum tester found it to be sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Although most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we test, but it comes with an attractive appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.