How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed (120.46.183.86 blog entry) is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your little one.

A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for an item that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for a top quality crib sets that can stand the years. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rated cots rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.

The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that can give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

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 converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for peace of mind) and also has the option for an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.

This is a fantastic option If you're looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are about three years old. It folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest online cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a strong frame that can handle noisy 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 caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It is essential to choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often feature. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.

Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space, since it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are many baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it should see your child through childhood to.

It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were amazed by how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.

The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it offers the best crib for newborn value for money as it will last through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.