How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important items to purchase. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.
This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option 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 is a cot for 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 into the age of preschool or beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds are generally more expensive, but the investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that will last for years rather than just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a long time. The sleek design and warm color is perfect for a Scandi nursery. The cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key for setup.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into bags that are similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people 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 can grow with your child until approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and a solid base, so your baby can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that will help you stay organized while your baby grows.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the money.
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 can last your baby until they are about three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It is also very robust with strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It's important that you choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds usually have. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mum tester found it solid and sturdy, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last until they reach six years old. old. It transforms into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features including the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be rolled up and rolled down. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Although best cots for newborns can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go beyond this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a major issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It's not cheap however it offers great value for money as it will see your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.