How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your little one.
A high-quality bed that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. cots and tots 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
When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that provide different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. The sleek design and warm finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a little light which means it might not be ideal for camping in the car, but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails, or under-bed storage drawers that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option to add an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
cots and tots , stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's easy to assemble, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It comes with four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from room to.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we tested at 6kg. tots and cots 's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It is essential to choose the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds usually have. It also has plenty of storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space, as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It fits the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years older.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that lasts as long as possible and grow with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, certain cots are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable pick and will last your child from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've tested, but it has an elegant appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap but it's an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.