9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.

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

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options with different lifespans and some of them can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed are generally more expensive, but the investment can really pay off in the event that you need an item that lasts for many years, not just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it a great option for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. Our parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key for setup.

A less expensive option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot a lot.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and gave an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby cots on sale grows.

Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." 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 transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options which allows you to adjust the height of your Baby Crib as he grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots 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 features four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are about three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you love as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cots bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these cots and tots are known for. It's packed with storage space, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mum test subject found it to be sturdy and robust and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternately, the Modena sale cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we've tested with an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed with the features. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick, as it will last from birth through the age of.

It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will suit any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and install. This is not a major 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 which is an upgrade on 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 based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to shield it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It is not cheap but it's a an excellent value, since it will last into toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties and gives you confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.