The Complete Guide To Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your little one.

A top-quality option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for 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 with different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.

The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's about 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 a lot.

The SnuzKot is another good affordable sale cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your home while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the 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 that will take it up to a larger bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great crib value buy for the money.

If you're looking for a top cot, this is a good choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It also can be folded flat and has locks on the wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. Your baby's cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you love as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these cots are known for. It has plenty of storage space such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mum tester found it solid and sturdy with three positions of 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 will be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we've tested with draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.

Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features including the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be rolled up and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertability

There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you need something that will last as long as possible and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last from birth until childhood.

It's expensive when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an elegant design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for to construct and install. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot sales is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it's a great value because it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.