The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top ranked cribs cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your baby.

A high-quality bed that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use through the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot sale around too often.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved the possibility of converting it into a minimalist toddler bed, and also create a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Look for a robust design with safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help keep things organised as your baby is growing.

Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for security) and comes with an option of an extension kit to take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.

This is a great choice when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It'll last until your child are around three years old. It folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.

The cot is extremely lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a great bag for travel. It's also extremely durable and has strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting trapped 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 you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you love as well as is practical and functional.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often come with. It's packed with space-saving storage and storage options, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

Alternately alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we tested to have a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it an excellent option for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features including the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space because it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It takes an ordinary cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, ensuring they can have a safe place to sleep.

While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we've tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue but it was 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 most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It is not cheap cot bed however it is a the best value for money since it will last through the toddler years and beyond. Additionally, it comes with an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.