How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important purchases. This guide has been created to help find the best choice for your baby.
A premium option that is perfect for Scandi-style nursery rooms. affordable cots 's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of choices that come with different durations and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
A less expensive option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side which means it might not be ideal for car camping but it should be fine to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot too much.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides and an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that will help you stay organized while your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's an extension kit available which can convert it to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height of your baby as he grows. It fits most standard cot mattress and is a great purchase for the price.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little difficult to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its durability and functionality.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the style. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothing. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to assemble. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It fits a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used until your child turns 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that lasts for as long as it can and grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus 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 and will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. affordable cots includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which is not included.