How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that grows with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options with different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that lasts for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. cot sales 's a great option for parents who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's a bit light which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot for too long.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib which can help organize your life while your little one is growing.
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 provide peace of mind) and comes with 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 option for those with a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to another.
This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They also noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, therefore it's crucial to choose one you like and also is practical and useful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often feature. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mother tested it and found it to be robust and durable, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
cot for sale cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. 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 to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a toddler bed. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It is not cheap however it is a great value since it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.