How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also different choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years or even beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that will last for many years, not just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setting up.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that can give your baby a good night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable down and stored easily as it fits into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's light, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot around too much.
Full File suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its classic design will fit in with any home and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit that will take it up to a full-sized bed once your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. Our testers found it a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you love and is also practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It's packed with storage space, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. 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 for money and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It is made to last until they reach six years old. old. It converts into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space, as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. 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 evolve with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go beyond this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it should see your child through from birth to childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique feature of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to shield it from biting.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, as it will last through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.