How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that offer various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used through the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off if you want a cot that will last for a long time instead of just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand up to the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. The cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around all the time.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to move out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your little one 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 converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you reassurance) and comes with an option of an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy 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 will fit on any standard cot mattress and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds usually come with. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It is designed to last until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice 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 colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed with the features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with limited space, since it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible 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 children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last your child from birth until the age of.
It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It is not cheap but it offers the best value for money because it will last your child into the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty which gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.