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 locate the perfect bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. similar web page and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that lasts for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for those who want an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.
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 basic design and easy assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's on the lightweight side which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot around for too long.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand 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 safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
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 from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for peace of mind) and has an option of an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a good buy for the money.
This is a fantastic option If you're looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the style. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, therefore it's crucial to choose one you like as well as is practical and useful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds usually come with. It's packed with space-saving storage and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mum tester found it to be solid and sturdy with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. older.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth through the time of their childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we tested, but it has a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and set up. This isn't a big issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great characteristic of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to protect it from biting.
The cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It is not cheap but it's a the best value for money since it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress that's not included.