How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.

A premium option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. 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. Naturally, those that convert into a bed are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just a few months.

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 the test of time. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately the bed isn't cheap baby cots for sale (read more on Opencbc`s official blog), and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

A more budget-friendly option that will still give your Baby Cot a comfortable night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for 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 like teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help keep things organised while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and has 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 is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattress and is a great buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last your Baby beds until they are around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to another.

This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed, but it is worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time, therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and is also practical and functional.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that is perfect for any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.

Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertibility

When you're a new parent, there are plenty of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most recommended cribs important things to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice and will last from birth until childhood.

It's more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to build and set up but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows because they might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, however it is a great value because it will last your child into the age of toddler 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 purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.