How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of options with different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. homepage appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were praised by our parents who tested it. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for car camping but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot around all the time.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester 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 safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and has an option to add an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your child is about three years old. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and is also functional and practical.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It has plenty of storage space such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mother tester found it to be robust and durable with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. affordable cots has a stylish panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. It converts into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child so they can have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick that will last from birth until the age of.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was them to build and install. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to guard it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties and gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, that's not included.