10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your little one.

This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option 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's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones which convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need an item that lasts for many years, not just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be superior to less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap cot beds, and requires an Allen key to set up.

The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot can be folded down and stored easily since it can fit into bags similar to the one used for 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 don't need to move their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cot beds will also have additional features like teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life as your baby cots online is growing.

Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for reassurance) and also has the option of 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 an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled 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 purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.

The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It is also very robust, with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the investment for its durability and functionality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the design. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and also is functional and practical.

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

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years old. It transforms into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested that has an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot sales bed to stand the test of time.

Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small space, as it can be folded and flat-packed. It can be used with a 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.

Convertability

There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, ensuring they can have a safe place to sleep.

Some online cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as 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 more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows since they may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to shield it from biting.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It is not cheap baby cots but it's a an excellent value, because it will last into toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.