Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best cot for sale Bed

With so many baby essentials to consider, the best crib newborn cot bed is one of the most important purchases. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your baby.

A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable option will grow with your child, with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality crib that can stand the years. The minimalist design and warm finish is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed is not expensive, and requires an Allen key for cot bed setting up.

The Elementary cot is a less expensive option that will give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and simple assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a little on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be suitable for car camping however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot around too much.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a robust design that has sides or safety bars and a solid base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots 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.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to provide peace of mind) and has an option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It offers four mattress base positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.

This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust with a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than the other online cots we looked at but it's well worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and is also practical and useful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. 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 attached to the side. Our mom tested it and found it to be sturdy and robust and has 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 and comes in a panelled design that will suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested to have a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a range of colors to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. All the pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space because it can be folded flat and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You need something that will last as long as possible and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go beyond this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last your child from birth through the age of.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from being bitten.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap cot bed but it's a an excellent value, as it will last into the toddler years and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have peace of mind that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.