How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.

This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can 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

There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that offer different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, however they last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the test of time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.

A more affordable cots option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Look for a robust design that includes sides or safety bars and solid foundations that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.

Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.

This stylish and simple small cot beds is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.

If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great option. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is about three years old. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot is light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It is also very durable and has strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and also is practical and functional.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds can often feature. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mum 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 by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie cot sets Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for cot bed babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertability

If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child so they can 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 converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), cot bed and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last from birth until childhood.

It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a major issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from being bit.

This 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 excellent value for money since it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.