How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best cot bed is one of the most important purchases. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad 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. Of course, the ones which convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need an item that lasts for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
A more affordable option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine 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, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design with sides or safety bars and solid foundations, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your home as 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 security) and comes with an option for an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. This Internet page offers four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to another.
The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It is essential to choose the 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 design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds often feature. great crib offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mum test subject found it to be solid and sturdy, with 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 with an elegant panel design that will suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with draw, a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and flat-packed. It takes the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child is 10 years older.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as the new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last from birth through the age of.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique feature of this cot is that it has 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 need a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will see your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, that's not included.