10 Meetups About Best Cot Bed You Should Attend

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your baby.

A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a durable and sturdy choice that can grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that offer different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that lasts for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those who want an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was more suitable than cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to start it up.

A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's a little light, meaning it may not be ideal for car camping but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot all the time.

The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily move out. Some cot beds will also have additional features such as teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.

cribs Cots For Tots is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great value buy for the price.

If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great choice. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your child is three years old. It can be folded flat and has locks on the wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely robust, with a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are spaced 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 function make it worth the investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It has plenty of space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum tester found it robust and durable and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years older.

Convertibility

If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.

While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not inexpensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty and gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress which is not included.