How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your baby.

A top-quality option that is perfect for Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that offer different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. 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 stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.

The Elementary cot is a more affordable cots option that will give your baby cots online a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parent testers loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a 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 secure. Look for a robust design that has sides or safety bars and a solid base to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that will help you stay organized while your baby grows.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and has an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked 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 purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.

The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its durability and utility.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the design. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types can have. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mom tester found it sturdy and robust with a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie cot sale Bed is another option with an elegant panel 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 impressed by the features. It's also the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most recommended cribs durable choice, as it will last from birth until childhood.

It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a major issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, however it is a an excellent value, as it will last your child into the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.