How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide has been created to help find the best choice for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool or beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the years. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side which means it might 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 for too long.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will suit most homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for security) and also has the option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your child is about 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 light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we reviewed, but it is worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It's important that you choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds often have. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. Our mother tested it and found it solid and sturdy and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small 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. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertability
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when you become a new parent. cheap cot bed 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 secure place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). cheap cot beds is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for to construct and install. This isn't a big issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive feature of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require a higher or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, because it will last your child until they reach toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.