How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A premium option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options with different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great option for parents who want an excellent cot that will stand up to the years. The sleek design and warm color will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that can give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach 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 good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to the next.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the design. Your baby's cot will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds usually come with. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features such as the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mom test subject found it to be solid and sturdy with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we've tested with a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and then collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) 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 older.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as it can and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice, as it will last from birth through the time of their childhood.
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 be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This isn't a major issue, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. website allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and abilities. website comes with teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, as it will last through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty which gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.