How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to remove the sides 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 levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want an excellent crib that can stand the years. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to 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 stop your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A less expensive option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they are around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to the next.
This cot is light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable, with strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.
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 functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It also offers storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's made to last until they reach six years old. old. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested to have draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space as it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as it can and grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and install. This is not a major issue, however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another great feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It is not cheap however it is a the best value for money as it will last through toddlerhood and beyond. top ranked cribs comes with one-year warranties, so you have confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.