9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the best cot beds Cot Bed

With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created 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 choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot sales bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. The cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.

A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked and easily tucked away into a bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot all the time.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you keep things organised while your baby is growing.

Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still stunning." Its classic design will suit most homes and it's made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It can be used with standard mattress online cots and is a great value buy for the money.

This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from room to.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also extremely robust, with a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little challenging. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting stuck 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 purchasing a cot-bed. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It's got plenty of space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mother test subject found it to be robust and durable and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's made to be used 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 cot beds that we tested that has an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, cot For sale which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have little space since it can be rolled up and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertability

There are a variety of baby necessities that you should consider as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.

Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last your child from birth through the age of.

It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to shield it from being bitten.

This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it's a an excellent value, because it will last until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you confidence that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.