How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a sleek 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 choices that come with different durations some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key to set up.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design that has sides or safety bars and a solid base, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.
This is a fantastic option when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they are around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.
This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It is also very robust with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little challenging. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the design. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It has plenty of storage space-saving features such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mother tested it and found it robust and durable, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features, with the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.
sale cot
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
While the majority of cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it should see your child through childhood to.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were awed by how easy it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It is not cheap however it is a the best value for money as it will last into the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, cot sale comes with one-year warranties, so you have confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress which isn't included.