How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides 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 offer various levels of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will stand up to the test of time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed is not expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot all the time.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's also an extension kit that will take it up to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard mattress cots and is a great value buy for the money.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely durable, with strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They noted that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the price for its durability and functionality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the style. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect 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 can often have. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother tester found it sturdy and robust with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we've tested with draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice 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 is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed with its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those with a small space, as it can be folded down and flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth through the age of.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and install. This is not a major issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four 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, since they may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to guard it from biting.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not inexpensive but it's great value for money as it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.