How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, the best crib bed is among the most important buys. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or 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 elegant design and simple design making it a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.
A less expensive option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot can be folded down and stored easily because it fits in bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and gave an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's also an extension kit that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. affordable cots can last until your child reach the age of three. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to the next.
The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a convenient bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like and is also practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often have. It also offers storage space, and comes with an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its clever features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
When 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 it can and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and install. This is not a major issue however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an improvement over 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 abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. best cot beds 's not cheap, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you assurance that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.