How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your little one.
A high-quality bed that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also different options with different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or even beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off if you want a cot that will last for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
If Best cot for newborn looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great choice. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to the next.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is among the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It is also very durable and has a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They noted that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. It's important that you choose the cot bed 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 beds often feature. Best cot for newborn has plenty of space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mum tested it and found it to be sturdy and robust with a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its nifty features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space as it can be rolled up and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last from birth through the time of their childhood.
It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for them to build and install. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This 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. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it offers great value as it will last through the toddler years and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty which gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.