How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your little one.

This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options with different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its elegant design and simple design. It's a great choice for those who want a top ranked cribs quality cot that will stand the test of time. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some less expensive cots that 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. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setting up.

The Elementary cot is a cheaper option that can give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, as it fits into bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.

The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last until your child are around three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from room to.

This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It is also very durable and has a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best cots for newborns cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's got plenty of storage space and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.

Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertability

If you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby must-haves 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 choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it is designed to last through childhood to.

It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we tested, but it has a premium look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may need an upper 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 protect it from being bitten.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap cot beds however it is a great value because it will last your child through the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, that's not included.