How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options with different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or beyond. top ranked cribs that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot all the time.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It comes with four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is three years old. It folds flat and has locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also very sturdy and has a strong frame that'll stand up to boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the quality and durability are worth the cost.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often come with. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother 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 grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested to have an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. All the pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and flat-packed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years of age.
Convertability
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as you can and grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it should see your child through from birth to childhood.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we tested, but it has an elegant appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child develops. They may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to guard it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress that's not included.