How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important buys. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height 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 are a myriad of options with different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that will last for a long time instead of just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for those who want an excellent cot that will last for a long time. The minimalist design and warm color will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. The cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily move out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is also an extension kit available which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they reach the age of three. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to another.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely robust, with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's crucial to select a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Baby Cot , modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its unique features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those with a small space as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. of age.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers an attractive look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a major issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need an upper or lower base level, based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to protect it from biting.
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 cheap however it is a the best value for money as it will last your child into the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties and gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which isn't included.