How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. This guide has been created to help find the best choice for your baby.
A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that can aid you in staying 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 the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a great option. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they reach the age of three. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They noted that the slats were spaced far 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 function make it worth the investment.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the style. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you love and also is practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mom test subject found it robust and durable and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space as it can be rolled up and collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. great crib of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib 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 just a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth to the age of.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows since they may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails and a strip along the top to shield it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, however it is a the best value for money because it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties which gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.