How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that fits beautifully 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 chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for a cot that will last for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that includes sides or safety bars and a solid base, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide reassurance) and comes with an option to add 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 if you're on a budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that can handle noisy toddlers. best infant cribs were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. 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 you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the design. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
best infant cribs is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It also has plenty of storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It is made to last until they reach the age of six old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features including the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It uses 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 a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, since it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.