How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that provide different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.
cots and tots & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was a better option than some less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for peace of mind) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great 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'll last your baby until they are about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to the next.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds can often have. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side. It was sturdy and durable. 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 in an elegant panel design that will be suitable for 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 tested to have an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also 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 with a small space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. older.
cots 4 tots
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents were 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, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty 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, as they may need a higher or lower base level based on their age and level. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It is not cheap but it's a an excellent value, because it will last your child into the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties and gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.