How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best baby cots cot bed (more..) is a must-have for every baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.

A premium option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a variety of choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years or beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was superior to less expensive online cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to start it up.

The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that can give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in a bag the size of the one used for the camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for car camping but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot beds for sale too much.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its 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 secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes sides or safety bars and a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There is also an extension kit available that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often feature. It also offers space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. Our mom tester found it to be sturdy and robust, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a smart panelled look that would suit any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and collapsed. It fits the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will change with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While most cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last from birth until childhood.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we test, but it comes with an attractive appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to guard it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, but it's a great value because it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.