How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was more suitable than cheaper cots which have a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will provide your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were praised by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into a bag the size of the one used to store a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot for an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Find a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that will aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for reassurance) and has an option for an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It's simple to put together, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so 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 is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last your baby until they are around three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag and is among the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely robust, with strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds usually come with. It's packed with storage space-saving features, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. cot for sale Cots 4 Tots 's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with a small space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to 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 should consider as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You need 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.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice and will last your child from birth until the age of.
It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for to construct and install. This is a minor fault however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and capabilities. It includes teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. It is not cheap but it's a the best value for money as it will last into toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.