How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of options with different lifespans and some of them can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent option for parents who want an excellent crib that can stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look great in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating 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 that has sides or safety bars and an erect base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help organize your life as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice if you're on a budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled 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 mattress and is a great buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is around three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time so it's important to find one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also offers space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until they reach the age of six old. cribs into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with panels. It is available in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertability
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as the new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot 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.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's not cheap in comparison to other cot beds we've test, but it comes with an attractive look and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and capabilities. It comes with teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap, but it does offer great value for money as it will see your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress which is not included.