10 Things That Your Family Taught 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 you choose the right bed for your baby.

This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. The sleek design and warm color will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The small cot beds bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots with an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot beds for sale bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that can give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parent testers liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.

Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for security) and has an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a good buy for the money.

This is a fantastic option when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last your baby cots on sale until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. Our test subjects found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. They also noted that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one that you love and is also practical and useful.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds can often have. It's got plenty of storage space such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

Another option with a smart panel 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 particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space as it can be rolled up and then collapsed. It fits an ordinary 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. older.

Convertability

If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to give them a safe and secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.

It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another impressive aspect 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 flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need a lower or higher base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from getting bitten.

This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It is not cheap baby cots however it is a the best rated cribs value for money since it will last into the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy an additional mattress, which isn't included.