How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect choice for your little one.
A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also different options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used in the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, because it fits in a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib, which can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and also has the option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option if you're on a 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 as your child grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a good choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your child is about three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from room to.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable with strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of 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 avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these cots are known for. It has plenty of space-saving storage, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six old. It converts into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as a new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds that we tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to shield it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. top rated cots 's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.