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How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your little one.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options with different lifespans and some of them can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that lasts for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent option for parents who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The sleek design and warm color will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to 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. However, at over best cots with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and has an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the price.
This is a great choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions in the cot position and will last until your child is three years old. It also folds flat and has locking wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous 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 spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the style. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mother test subject found it to be robust and durable with three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternatively, 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 is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It converts into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with the option of a 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 colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-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.
Although most cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an elegant design and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and capabilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It is not cheap however it is a an excellent value, because it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler 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.