How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is one of the most important items to purchase. This guide has been created to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that offer various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to start it up.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides and a solid base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also have additional features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is around three years old. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also extremely durable, with a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. best cots uk 's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, since it can be folded and flat-packed. It fits a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years of age.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as it can and will change with your child, giving them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from getting bitten.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It is not cheap but it's a the best value for money since it will last through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.