How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.

A high-quality bed that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish 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 with different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that will last for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design making it a great choice for those who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

A less expensive option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a bag that's about the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for apartment life or those 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 the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cot beds include extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.

Mini Cot Bed is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's also an extension kit available which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options which allows you to adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a good purchase for the price.

If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they are about three years old. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the quality and durability are worth the cost.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one that you love as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.

Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It fits 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 up until your child is 10 years old. old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as it can and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.

It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we tested, but it has an attractive design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. mini cotbed is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another great characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to shield it from biting.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It is not cheap however it is a the best value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.