How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.
This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options with various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it if you want a cot that will last for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for a top quality crib that can stand the years. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parent testers liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. cot beds for sale will grow with your child until approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to a minimal-looking toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to be able to climb out. Some cot beds will also include extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a great option. It comes with four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is among the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has an extremely sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little challenging. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy as well as is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. cheap cot bed has plenty of space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mum test subject found it sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features, with the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great alternative for those with little space since it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It takes the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. of age.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we tested, but it has an attractive appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for to construct and put up. This is a minor flaw but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive but it's excellent value for money since it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.