How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that provide different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds that can be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality crib that can stand the test of time. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a comfortable night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is another good affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and created the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
cot sale says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last until your child reach the age of three. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from room to.
The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They noted that the slats were spaced far 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 worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It is essential to choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often come with. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. Our mum test subject found it solid and sturdy and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand 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 would 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 few cot beds 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 colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
When you're a new parent, there are plenty of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last your child from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with a premium appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, since it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great feature of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and capabilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to protect it from biting.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, however it is a an excellent value, because it will last until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty and gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.