How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important buys. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.
A premium option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options with different amounts of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a carry bag that's the size of the carry case of a camping chair. recommended cribs 's a little light and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car but it should be fine for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
We recommend 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 expand with your child until approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cots include extra features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage that can help you stay organized while your baby grows.
The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
most recommended cribs but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your baby is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.
This cot comes with handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats are spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the style. It is essential to choose a cot that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds often feature. It's got plenty of storage space such as the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base lets it expand with your baby.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last until they reach six years old. old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the 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 is available in several colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to put together. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space, as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that permits it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. older.
Convertability
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as it can and will change with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice and will last your child from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's expensive when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers an attractive design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with the ease with which it was for to construct and install. This isn't a major issue but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from getting bitten.
This cot comes in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it offers the best value for money since it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.