How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. This guide will assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.

A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options with different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great option for parents who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The sleek design and warm finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots and tots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and simple assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot all the time.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to get out. Some cot beds will also include extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help 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 feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you security) and also has the option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This elegant and simple cot is a great option 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, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and tots and is a great value buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode and cot beds will last until your baby is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to another.

The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the quality and durability make it worth the investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one you like as well as is practical and functional.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds usually come with. It's got plenty of space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested to have a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its nifty features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. of age.

Convertibility

If you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and will change with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

While most cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, since it should see your child through childhood to.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we tested, but it has an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still very simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to shield it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad tester. It's not cheap, however it is a the best baby cots value for money since it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty, so you have peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress, that's not included.