How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your little one.
A premium option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that offer different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds for use throughout the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its elegant design and simple design. It's a great choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a little on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal 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 around all the time.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily move out. Some cot beds include extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide reassurance) and comes with an option of an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your child grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the money.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they are about three years old. It can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They also noted that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also functional and practical.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It has plenty of space-saving storage such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. Baby beds 's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed with its features. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those who have a 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 to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertability
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last as long as possible and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. 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 a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and install. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows because they might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it's an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties which gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.