How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds for use through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its elegant design and simple design making it a great option for parents who want an excellent cot that will stand the years. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a bag that's about the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
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 can grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Find best cot newborn with bars of safety or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help organize your life as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from 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 security. There's also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your baby is around three years old. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also functional and practical.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers 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 often feature. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, and teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mother tester found it to be robust and durable, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It comes in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space as it can be folded flat and collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as you become a 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 grow with your child, ensuring that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it should see your child through childhood to.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an elegant look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from being bitten.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.