How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important purchases. We've put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.
A high-quality bed that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that provide different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used into 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 won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be stored and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's a bit light and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide peace of mind) and also has the option of an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent 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
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. Your baby's cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often have. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features and storage options, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. simply click the next website page 's made to last until they reach the age of six old. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested to have draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its clever features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to put together, 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 takes the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years older.
Convertability
If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.
While most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go a step further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth through childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end design and feel will look great in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue however, since it was still very simple and took less than 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 lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to guard it from biting.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, but it's a great value because it will last your child through the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.