How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best cot bed is one of the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. 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 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 that have different lifespans some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed are generally more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The minimalist design and warm color will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots to tots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap cot bed, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and gave an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your Baby Cot Online is not able to get out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that will help you stay organized while your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for security) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way 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 assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your Baby Cot Bed grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is about three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely durable and has an extremely sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent 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 design when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one that you love and is also practical and useful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often come with. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side. Our mother test subject found it sturdy and robust, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing 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 with limited space, as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as it can and will change with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, since it will last your child through childhood to.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They may require a higher or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It comes with teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.