How to Choose the best cot bed (Home)

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.

This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed are generally more expensive, but the investment can really pay off if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. The sleek design and warm finish will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to get it up and running.

The Elementary cot is a more affordable cots option that will give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's a little lighter than the average cot which means it might not be ideal for camping in the car, however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot all the time.

We recommend the SnuzKot for an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cot beds include extra features such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide reassurance) and also has the option to add an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from room to.

This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust and has a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It has plenty of space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mother tester found it to be robust and durable and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots and tots that we have tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot bed to assemble. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be rolled up and collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertability

When you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cots are made to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.

It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another impressive aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top ranked cribs to guard it from biting.

This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it does offer great value for money as it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.