How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important buys. So we've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. cot sale 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 a variety of choices that come with different durations, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the years. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have a drawer built in. It also has an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, since it can fit into bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's light and therefore may not be ideal for car camping however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot for too long.
We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.
Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for security) and also has the option for an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those with a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They also noted that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed, but the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds usually feature. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side. Our mom test subject found it solid and sturdy 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 with an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when you become a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last for as long as you can and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and secure place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth until the time of their childhood.
It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we've test, but it comes with an attractive look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for them to build and install. This is not a major issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from being bitten.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not expensive, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.