9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.

This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rated cots rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a good 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 is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your life while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is constructed of 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 for peace of mind) and comes with an option for 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 parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the price.

This is a great choice if you are looking for an expensive cot. It offers four mattress base positions in the cot position and will last until your child is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.

The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also extremely robust with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They also noted that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots 4 tots that 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 functional and beautiful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary version of 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 a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested to have draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and rolled down. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are many baby essentials that you should consider as a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring they can have a safe bed to sleep in.

Although most cots can be converted into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it is designed to last through childhood to.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an elegant appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from being bit.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It is not cheap but it offers an excellent value, as it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which is not included.