How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. So we've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nursery. It's a durable and sturdy choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The sleek design and warm finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's a little light, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they reach the age of three. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to the next.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It is also very robust and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting caught between them. cots to tots 's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the quality and durability make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of storage space-saving features such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mom tester found it to be robust and durable with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with the option of a 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 nifty features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. 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 flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertability
When you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as it can and will grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last your child from birth until childhood.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we tested, but it has an elegant design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a big issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from being bit.
This cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It is not cheap but it offers great value as it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. best cot newborn 'll have to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.