How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also different options with different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just 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 who want an excellent cot that will last for a long time. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also has 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 the cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's on the lightweight side and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and gave 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 also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that has sides or safety bars and an erect base, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cot beds will also include extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's also an extension kit that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a good buy for the money.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a great option. It has an impressive four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from room to.
This cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and functional.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds usually feature. It's got plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mother test subject 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 and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space, since it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts as long as possible and will change with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was them to build and install. web isn't a big issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will see your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.