How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide has been created to help find the best choice for your baby.

A top-quality option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use into the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it if you want a cot that will last for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those who want an upscale cot that can last for a long time. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed 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 stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.

The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. 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.

The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.

Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is also an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.

This is a great choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your child is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to another.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the price for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds usually have. It also has plenty of storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to 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 expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It is 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 among the cot beds that we tested that has an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. read review 's also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It takes the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that will last for as long as it can and will grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.

It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was them to build and install. This is a minor fault, however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.


The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require a lower or higher base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip on the top to guard it from biting.

The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap but it offers the best value for money because it will last your child until they reach toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty, so you have confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.