How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many essentials for babies to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important buys. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.

This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid when you're looking for an item that lasts for a long time instead of just the duration of a few months.

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 crib that can stand the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this cot isn't cheap cot beds and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.

A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot around too much.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and solid foundations, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and has an option for an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your Baby Cot as he grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.

This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an extremely high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions when in the cot position and will last until your baby is about three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to the next.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we tested, weighing just 6kg. It is also very robust, with a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the price for its durability and utility.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It's important that you choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds usually come with. It also has plenty of storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot sale, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they reach six years old. old. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested to have a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and flat-packed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child is 10 years old. of age.

Convertability

There are many baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child so that they have a secure place to sleep.

Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we've tested, but it has an attractive look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.

The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap baby cots for sale however it is a an excellent value, since it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.