How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also different options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small 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 on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for car camping but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't plan to move their cot all the time.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Baby Cot loved the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib which can help keep things organised while your little one is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is also an extension kit that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great option when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a great purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they are around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. website 's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these cots are known for. It also offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mother tester found it to be solid and sturdy with three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested that has a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It is made of 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
When you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that will last as long as possible and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it should see your child through childhood to.
It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and install. This isn't a big issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to shield it from biting.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not inexpensive but it's an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.