How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.
A top-quality option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also different choices that come with different durations and some of them can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The sleek design and warm finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to make it functional.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were well-loved by our parent testers. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Look for a robust design that includes sides or safety bars and a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that will aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.
This is a great choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your child is about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from room to.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its durability and functionality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It's packed with space-saving storage and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mum tested it and found it to be sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It is available in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. 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 easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
online cots
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as a 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 possible and grow with your child, so they can have a safe place to sleep.
Although most cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go beyond this. cots and tots is our top choice. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for to construct and put up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to shield it from biting.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. It's not expensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which isn't included.