How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, 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 to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that provide different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks beautiful in a contemporary nursery. top rated cots has a drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot for too long.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design that has sides or safety bars and solid foundations, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish 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 height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It folds flat and comes with lockable wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.
cot bed sales comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and also is practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers 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 often have. It's got plenty of space-saving storage such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. Our mother test subject found it to be sturdy and robust with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that is perfect for 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 to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we've tested with a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by the features. It's also one of 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 who have a limited space, as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertability
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that lasts as long as possible and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for them to build and set up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
Another impressive feature of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from becoming a bit.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.
