How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important buys. We've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability 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 also a range of options that provide different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years and 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 award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. The cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides, and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily move out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.
best crib is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you peace of mind) and also has the option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your child is around three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the design. 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 and is also functional and practical.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds can often come with. It's got plenty of space-saving storage such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mum tester found it to be sturdy and robust with 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 for money and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features, with the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It uses 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 things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a safe place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). best cot beds is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to protect it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It's not expensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which is not included.