9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.

A top-quality option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off 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 with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that will last for a long time instead of just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic 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. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.

A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The Mini Cot Bed is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's a bit lighter than the average cot 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 want to move their cot too much.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cot beds will also have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.

Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori sale cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you reassurance) and comes with an option for an extension kit that can take it all the way 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 simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

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

The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the design. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love and is also functional and practical.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best crib bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds often feature. It has plenty of space-saving storage and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. Our mum test subject found it to be solid and sturdy and best cot bed has three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until they are six years old. It transforms into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its nifty features, with the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, since it can be folded and flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits 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 is a quality cot bed. You want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child, giving them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. The Boori Eton cot for sale Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we test, but it comes with an elegant design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed with how easy it was to build and set up but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a major issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique feature of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to stop it from getting bitten.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap however it is a great value because it will last through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty and gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.