How to Choose the
best crib Cot Bed
The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your little one.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish 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 levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds that can be used into the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a long time. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina felt was superior to less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.
A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be put away away easily too, fitting into a bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot for another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will suit most homes and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you peace of mind) and also has the option of an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattress and is a great buy for the price.
This is a great choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they are around three years old. It folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its durability and functionality.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the design. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one you like and also is practical and functional.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It also offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the
cot sales, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mom test subject found it sturdy and robust and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six old. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has a draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.
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 especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were impressed by the features. It's also among the easiest
cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, since it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers an attractive appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was to construct and install. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows because they might require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the
top ranked cribs to prevent it from being bit.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will take your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranties which gives you assurance that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress that's not included.
