How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important purchases. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will 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 various levels of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off in the event that you need an item that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The sleek design and warm color will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a little light which means it might not be suitable 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 for too long.
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 expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and solid foundations that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great option when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last until your child are about three years old. It also can be folded flat and has locks on the wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. top rated cots were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It's crucial to select a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's got plenty of storage space, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed by the features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertability
There are many baby essentials that you should consider as a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we've test, but it comes with an elegant appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to shield it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.