How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide will 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 durable option that grows with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that offer different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and gave an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with sides or safety bars and solid foundations to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice 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 child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last until your child reach the age of three. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to the next.
The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's packed with storage space and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
Alternatively alternatively, cots and tots from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its unique features, with the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertability
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique feature of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to shield it from biting.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not cheap, but it's a great value as it will last into toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties, so you have peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.