How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.
A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that offer various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. The sleek design and warm-toned finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy design with sides or safety bars and a solid base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
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 open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely durable and has an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the price for its durability and functionality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds often have. It has plenty of storage space-saving features, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mom tested it and found it robust and durable, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. old. It transforms 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've tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. most recommended cribs want it to last for 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 bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an elegant appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This is a minor fault however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it does offer great value for money as it will see your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress which isn't included.