How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also different options with different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish is perfect for a Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was a better option than some cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily since it can fit into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that can help you stay organized while your baby grows.
Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to set up and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It can be folded flat and has locks on the wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the cost for its durability and functionality.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and is also practical and useful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of 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 attached to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can suit 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 one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features including the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it can be rolled up and then collapsed. 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 until your child is 10 years older.
best infant cribs
There are many baby essentials that you should consider as the new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, because it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's expensive when compared to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers an attractive look and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another great characteristic of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip that runs 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 offers the best value for money because it will last into the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.