With so many baby essentials to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also different choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish is perfect for a Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that can give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for car camping however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot all the time.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you keep things organised as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for 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 elegant and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great value purchase for the price.
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 up and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from room to.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you love and is also functional and practical.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mom test subject found it to be solid and sturdy with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternately alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by the features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and rolled down. It fits the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years older.
Convertability
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth through the time of their childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers an attractive appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to shield it from being bitten.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It is not cheap however it is a an excellent value, as it will last into the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which is not included.
