How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it a great option for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last for a long time. The sleek design and warm color is perfect for a Scandi nursery. cot bed sales has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable down and stored easily since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It's lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for car camping but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
We recommend the SnuzKot for 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 child until approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides and solid foundations to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option of an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great option when you're on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It comes with four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is around three years old. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely robust, with a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They also noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its durability and functionality.
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 time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often have. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mum tested it and found it robust and durable and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach six years old. old. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and rolled down. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that will last for as long as it can and grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth through the time of their childhood.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault, however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on 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 depending on their age and level. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it's a great value because it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.