9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.

A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better choice than some cheaper cots with an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top ranked cribs rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.

The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable cots option that will provide your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design tots and cots simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its classic design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option for an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they are around three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They also noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the cost for its durability and functionality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It's got plenty of space-saving storage, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mom tested it and found it solid and sturdy and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

If you prefer you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It is designed to last until they are six years old. It transforms into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed with the features. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as you become a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. Our top rated cots pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick, as it will last from birth to the time of their childhood.

It's not cheap baby cots for sale in comparison to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an attractive design and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up however they did mention 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.

This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level depending on their age and level. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.

This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.