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. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your baby.

A high-quality bed that will look great crib in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used in the preschool years or beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for an item that lasts for a long time instead of just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious aesthetics and easy-to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the cot isn't cheap cot beds baby cots for sale (go now) and it requires an Allen key to start it up.

A more affordable option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.

Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great purchase for the price.

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child are around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.

The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time so it's essential to find one you like and is also practical and useful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best baby cots bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mum tester found it to be solid and sturdy, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for cheap baby cots for Sale money and comes in a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and flat-packed. It fits the standard cot sales 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 turns 10 years old. of age.

Convertability

There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a safe bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick that will last from birth through the time of their childhood.

It's expensive when compared to other cot beds we've tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is not a major issue, however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to shield it from biting.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will see your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty, so you have confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.