How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important buys. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a variety 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. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off in the event that you need an item that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot for sale to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that will provide your baby cots on sale a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into a bag the size of the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot as 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 about 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 with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cot beds will also include extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and has an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to the next.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is among the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It is also very robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It's packed with space-saving storage such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mom tested it and found it solid and sturdy, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately, 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 made to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and rolled down. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top rated cots to guard it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress which isn't included.