How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.

This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, 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 also good cribs of options that offer different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds for use into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parents loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.


Safety

A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your life while your little one is growing.

Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you security) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a great value purchase for the money.

This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they are about three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to the next.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It is also very robust, with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the quality and durability make it worth the investment.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. cheap cots has plenty of storage space, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.

Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.

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There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a safe place to sleep.

While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last from birth through the time of their childhood.

It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an attractive design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another great characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.

This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive however it offers great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.