How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. cheap cot beds and durable choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's on the lightweight side which means it might not be suitable for car camping but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable 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 are around four years old. Our dad tester loved the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created 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 will also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design that has sides or safety bars and a solid base, so your baby can't easily get out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed which can help you stay organized while your baby develops.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for peace of mind) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It can last until your child are around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from room to.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often come with. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. Our mum tester found it to be robust and durable with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years old. It converts into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and install. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still a breeze and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to protect it from being bitten.
This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.
