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 created this guide to help find the best choice for your Baby beds.

This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options with different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it if you want a cot 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 elegant design and simple design. It's a great option for parents who want an excellent crib that can stand the years. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.

A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a bit light, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't want to move their cot around all the time.

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 father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides, as well as solid foundations, so your baby can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will help you stay organized while your baby develops.

Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and comes with an option of an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has locking wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.

This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It is also very durable and has an extremely sturdy 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 challenging. They noted that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it worth the investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often have. It also doesn't skimp on storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother test subject found it to be robust and durable and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were impressed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces 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 and then flat-packed. It is made of 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 that you must consider when a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and will grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most recommended cribs durable pick and will last your child from birth through childhood.

It's expensive when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault, however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They may require a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap however it is a an excellent value, as it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty, so you have peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.