How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide will help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds that can be used through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable down and stored easily as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's light, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car, however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has sides or safety bars and a solid base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cot beds come with extra features such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your life while your little one is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice if you're on a budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a great choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It can keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust, with a sturdy frame that will withstand 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 from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mum test subject found it to be sturdy and robust, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately Read Full Report can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a range of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It takes a standard 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 old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice and will last from birth through the age of.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it's a great value as it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty and gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.