How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our parents loved the minimalist 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 thought was more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key for setup.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that can give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for car camping but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its 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 robust design that includes sides or safety bars and an erect base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a good choice. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. They also noted that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mum test subject found it solid and sturdy and has 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 and comes with a panelled design that can suit 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 to a chic sofa bed. just click for source 's also among the only cot beds we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It takes an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, so that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and set up. This isn't a major issue, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require a lower or higher base level based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from being bit.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, but it's a great value since it will last until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty which gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.