How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important buys. This guide has been created to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
Baby beds fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options with different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. The sleek design and warm finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot which means it might not be ideal for camping in the car, but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot too much.
Baby beds is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and an erect base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also include extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There is also an extension kit that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to put together 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 will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is about three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It is also very robust with an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and also is functional and practical.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also has plenty of storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested to have an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. 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 comes with an elegant panel design. It is available in a range of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. Baby Crib permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as the new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that will last for as long as you can and will grow with your child to provide 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 to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and install. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap however it is a an excellent value, because it will last through the toddler years and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty, so you have confidence that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.