How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, the best crib bed is among the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand the test of time. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into a bag the size of the one used for a camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car, however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot for too long.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially if 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 minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that will aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is a fantastic option If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your baby is three years old. It also can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also the most simple cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. homepage 's also a great option for those with limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertability
When you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you need something that will last as long as possible and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to build and set up but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip along the top to guard it from biting.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee and gives you assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.