9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your baby.

This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child, 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 for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color will look great in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. The cot bed sales bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.

A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the Best cot for newborn choice for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot around too often.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots offers come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life while your little one is growing.

Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit that will take it up to a larger bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a infant cot bed, and comes with four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they are about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.

The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They also noted that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the quality and durability make it worth the investment.

Design

When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for design lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides 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 expand with your Baby beds.

Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its unique features, with the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It can be used with a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler 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, as it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we've test, but it comes with an elegant design and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.

This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's excellent value for money since it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.