How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A premium option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are tots and cots of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. The sleek design and warm color will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
A less expensive option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parent testers. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car, but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot for too long.
We suggest 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 about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that has sides or safety bars and solid foundations, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will suit most homes and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It comes with four mattress base positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.
This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. Your baby's cot will be used for a long time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love as well as is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother test subject found it to be solid and sturdy, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail 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 your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its unique features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and collapsed. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last your child from birth through the age of.
It's not cheap in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a major issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great feature of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to shield it from being bitten.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap but it's great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.