How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your little one.

A high-quality bed that is perfect for nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your Baby Crib with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that provide various levels of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, however they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality cot that will stand the years. The minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was superior to less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.

The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's light, meaning it may not be suitable for camping in the car but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.

We recommend the SnuzKot for baby cot online an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily get out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood tots and cots New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you peace of mind) and has an option of an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great buy for the price.

This is a great choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they are about three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one you like as well as is practical and useful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It's packed with space-saving storage, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mom test subject found it to be solid and sturdy, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.

If you prefer you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It converts into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested to have a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its nifty features and the drawer for storage being 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 simple to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertability

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts as long as possible and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth through the age of.

It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from biting.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which is not included.