How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for every baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.

A premium option that will look great 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

There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or 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 a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have 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 caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to start it up.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that can give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our parents who tested it. Baby Crib can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.

Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." 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 the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide security) and comes with an option of an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the money.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It offers four mattress base positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to the next.

The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of storage space-saving features, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum tester found it sturdy and robust with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years old. It transforms into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we have tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.


The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with a small space, as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as you can and 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 with the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go beyond this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it is designed to last through childhood to.

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 suit any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another great characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require a lower or higher base level based on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, but it's a great value as it will last your child into toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.