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 purchases. This guide will help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions 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 myriad of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a long time. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. most recommended cribs has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a modern-looking 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. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great purchase for the money.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they reach the age of three. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from room to.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely robust and has a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time so it's important to find one you like as well as is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often feature. It's got plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mom tested it and found it to be solid and sturdy with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until they are six years old. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since 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 up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, ensuring they can have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick that will last from birth through childhood.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw, though, considering 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 standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it's great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress which isn't included.