How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your baby.

This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there’s a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also different choices that come with different durations some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool 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 thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It’s a great choice for those who want an excellent crib that can stand the years. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately the cot isn’t cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a peaceful night’s sleep. It’s part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, because it fits in a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It’s a bit on the lightweight side and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car however it’s suitable to live in apartments or for those who don’t intend to move their cot around all the time.

The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they’re approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails, or under-bed storage drawers that can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about 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 can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It’s easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It fits most standard cot mattress and is a great purchase for the price.

If you’re looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It comes with four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is about three years old. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It’s also extremely durable, with an extremely sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It’s also a little more expensive than the other cots we reviewed but it’s well worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

When buying a cot bed it’s easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don’t forget the style. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it’s important to find one that you enjoy and is also functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It has plenty of storage space and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.

top rated cots cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It’s designed to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It’s also among the only cot beds we tested to have a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It’s also the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It takes an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years old. of age.

Convertibility

There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as 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 grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

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

It’s expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we’ve tested, but it has a premium look and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents who tested it were amazed by how easy it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

Another impressive feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and level. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from getting bitten.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad’s testers. It’s not cheap but it offers an excellent value, since it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it’s covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you’ll have to buy an additional mattress, that’s not included.