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. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of choices that come with different durations, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that lasts for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents loved 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 believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a bag that's about the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides and a solid base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.
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 converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to another.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic 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 of cots can provide. It has plenty of space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum test subject found it robust and durable, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's designed 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 the only cot beds we tested to have a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. browse around these guys is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed with its features. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring they can have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, since it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we've test, but it comes with a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and install. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It's not inexpensive but it's excellent value for money since it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.