How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important buys. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A premium option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that provide different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, best cots which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the investment could be worth it if you want a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent choice for those who want an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. 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 stuck. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that can give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for car camping however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot around too much.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that includes safety bars or sides and solid foundations, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide peace of mind) and also has the option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It can last until your child are around three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like and also is functional and practical.
recommended cribs is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, and teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mum tested it and found it to be robust and durable and has three positions of 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 can be suitable for any nursery. It is made to last until they reach six years old. old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with an apex 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 colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It fits the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child is 10 years old. of age.
Convertability
There are many baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last your child from birth to childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an elegant 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 for them to build and install. 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 allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap, but it does offer great value for money as it will take your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties and gives you peace of mind that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.