How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options with various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also comes with 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 inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that can give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a bit lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
We recommend the SnuzKot for an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will help you stay organized while your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will suit most homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's mini cot beds Cots For Tots that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a good choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they are about three years old. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. It is also very robust with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the investment for its durability and functionality.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often feature. It's got plenty of storage space such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mother tester found it to be robust and durable and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we've tested with draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative 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. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials you need to think about as a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it's a great value because it will last through toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it's durable and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.