How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be superior to less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a carry bag that's about the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot is not just required to 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 child is unable to get out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and also has the option of an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice if you're on a budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
If my sources looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they are about three years old. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often feature. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mom test subject found it sturdy and robust with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last until they are six years old. It converts into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested to have draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space as it can be rolled up and rolled down. It can be used with the 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 turns 10 years old. older.
Convertability
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child, so they can have a safe place to sleep.
Although most cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, since it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.