How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.
A premium option that fits beautifully 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 remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options with different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use throughout the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm-toned finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
best crib is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when 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 converted into a minimalist toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you reassurance) and has an option to add an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double 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 assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
This is a great choice if you are looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is around three years old. It folds flat and has locking wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot is light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the design. It's crucial to select a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds can often come with. It has plenty of storage space such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we have tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It's also the easiest cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be folded and flat-packed. It can be used with a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby essentials to think about. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last as long as possible and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we test, but it comes with an attractive design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue, though, considering 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, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and level. It includes teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, however it is a an excellent value, because it will last until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it's durable and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress that's not included.