How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.
A top-quality option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand 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 something to suit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that will last for years rather than just the duration of 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 excellent cot that will stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.
A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a little light which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a robust design that includes safety bars or sides and solid foundations that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will suit most homes and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you security) and has an option of an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a good purchase for the money.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions in the cot position and will last until your child is about three years old. It also folds flat and has locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
Best cot for newborn is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It is also very robust, with a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time so it's important to find one that you love and is also practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds usually come with. It also offers storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, and teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It is available in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mum testers loved its unique features, with the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and flat-packed. cheap cot beds fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities 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 you can and will change with your child to give them a safe and secure place to sleep.
While most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last from birth until the age of.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. crib sets 's not cheap, however it is a an excellent value, since it will last your child through the toddler years and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.