How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your little one.
A premium option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just 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 parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and also has the option of an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a good purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a good choice. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested to have an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were impressed with its features. It's also the most simple cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with little space since it can be rolled up and then collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as it can and will change with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). best infant cribs www.cots4tots.co.uk makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a major issue, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's great value for money as it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which isn't included.