How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A premium option that is perfect for nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options with different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for those who want a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. The sleek design and warm finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's about the size of the carry case for a camp chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car, but should be fine for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot a lot.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed and create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's also an extension kit available that can transform it to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to set up, 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 crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They noted that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It is essential to choose the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
great crib is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's packed with storage space and storage options, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. Our mother tester found it to be sturdy and robust with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and flat-packed. It fits a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice, as it will last from birth until childhood.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds that we tested, but it has an elegant design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and install. This is a minor fault however, since it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap however it is a the best value for money as it will last through the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress that's not included.