9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best crib cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.

A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. 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 a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also different options with different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used in the preschool years or 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 luxurious design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rated cots rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.

A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It's not the best cots uk choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cot beds come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised while your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.

This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.

Alternately alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It is made to last until they reach the age of six old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its clever features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small space, as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years older.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a safe place to sleep.

While most cots can be converted into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go beyond this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it will last your child through from birth to childhood.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds that we tested, but it has an attractive appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.

The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive but it's great crib value for money as it will see your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty and gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.