How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important items to purchase. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.
This premium option fits perfectly to be used in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that offer various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. The sleek design and warm-toned finish is perfect for a Scandi nursery. click this link here now has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was superior to less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.
A less expensive option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot a lot.
We suggest the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cot beds have additional features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help keep things organised as your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will suit most homes and it's made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you reassurance) and has an option for an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options which allows you to adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great choice. It comes with four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your child is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to the next.
This cot is light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. It's important that you choose the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often have. It's got plenty of storage space and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have limited space as it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when a new parent. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and will grow with your child to give them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds that we tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another great aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.
The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored 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. Plus, it's covered by one-year warranties, so you have peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which isn't included.