How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important items to purchase. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was more suitable than 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 expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with sides or safety bars and an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cot beds include extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional design 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 can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide peace of mind) and has an option to add an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight 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 mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a good choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.
This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It is also very durable and has a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one you like and also is functional and practical.
tots and cots is the ideal bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds can often come with. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
If you prefer you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last from birth through childhood.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we tested, but it has an attractive look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by how easy it was them to build and install. This isn't a major issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three most common 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 level. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have peace of mind that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.